Is endoscopy hazardous to your liver?
In a survey of a gastrointestinal endoscopy society, 92 members (84%) filled out a questionnaire and donated serum specimens for testing for hepatitis B markers and alanine aminotransferase. The frequency of serologic evidence of exposure to hepatitis B was only slightly higher than that seen in the general population and comparable to that reported in "low-risk" health-care workers. Overall, 12% had markers of previous hepatitis B exposure and 3% had an abnormal aminotransferase determination. There was no correlation between hepatitis B exposure and endoscopic experience.
D000328:Adult; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005762:Gastroenterology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians; D012306:Risk