Light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with lower frequency of hypertransaminasemia.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of light to moderate alcohol consumption on the liver is controversial. To determine the association between light to moderate alcohol consumption and frequency of hypertransaminasemia, a cross-sectional and a subsequent longitudinal cohort study were conducted using annual health checkup data at a Japanese workplace.


METHODS
We analyzed 1,177 male subjects (age 20-59) without HCV or HBV infection or other chronic liver diseases. To determine the association between alcohol consumption (none or minimal <70 g/wk, light > or =70 g and <140 g/wk, moderate > or =140 g and <280 g/wk, excessive > or =280 g/wk) and hypertransaminasemia, we performed multiple logistic regressions. We then followed 326 subjects without a history of fatty liver or hypertransaminasemia up to 5 years for incidental hypertransaminasemia and performed Cox proportional hazard regressions.


RESULTS
Excess alcohol consumption was associated with increased odds of hypertransaminasemia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]versus none or minimal consumption 1.4[1.1-1.93], P= 0.023). There was significant interaction between age group and alcohol consumption (P < 0.01). In the younger group, moderate consumption was associated with decreased odds (AOR 0.5 [0.3-0.9], P= 0.032), while in the older group, light consumption was associated with decreased odds (AOR 0.6 [0.4-1.0], P= 0.036) and excess consumption was associated with increased odds (AOR 1.6 [1.1-2.3], P= 0.014) of hypertransaminasemia. During follow-up, moderate consumption was associated with decreased incidence of hypertransaminasemia versus none or minimal consumption (adjusted hazard ratio 0.4 [0.1-0.9], P= 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Light to moderate alcohol consumption may protect against the development of hypertransaminasemia among male subjects without other liver conditions. Further studies are required before recommending light to moderate alcohol consumption.
Suzuki
Ayako
A
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Angulo
Paul
P
St Sauver
Jennifer
J
Muto
Ayako
A
Okada
Toshihide
T
Lindor
Keith
K
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase