Alcohol consumption and serum liver-derived enzymes in a Danish population aged 30-50 years.
BACKGROUND
Based on the increased consumption of alcohol in Denmark the aim of this study was to measure prevalence of abnormal liver-derived enzymes in a homogeneous Danish population and possible associations with alcohol consumption, smoking and body mass index (BMI).


METHODS
In a representative population sample of 905 people (aged 30-50) from the baseline survey of the Ebeltoft Health Promotion Project in Denmark, we examined prevalence of abnormal liver-derived enzymes and its possible association with self-reported alcohol consumption, smoking and BMI, applying logistic regression analyses.


RESULTS
In a significant proportion, 12% (women 8%; men 16%) of the cohort we found raised levels of liver-derived enzymes associated with moderate self-reported alcohol intake adjusted for BMI and smoking. If the intake was higher than moderate, i.e. > 28 units per week (one unit equals 12 g of alcohol), the odds ratio (OR) for raised liver enzymes increased further; S-gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) (OR: for women 24.4; men 18.4). S-aspartate-aminotransferase (ASAT) (24.2; 5.8) and S-alanine-aminotransferase (ALAT) (27.2; 3.0). Furthermore, daily smoking increased the risk of raised liver enzymes in women (OR: 3.4-4.2), and obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) in men showed a positive association with all three enzymes (OR: 3.0-9.0).


CONCLUSIONS
The occurrence of raised liver-derived enzymes was frequent in the Danish population sample and associated with moderate self-reported alcohol consumption adjusted for BMI and smoking.
Steffensen
F H
FH
Danish Epidemiology Science Centre, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
Sørensen
H T
HT
Brock
A
A
Vilstrup
H
H
Lauritzen
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*
D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase