The effect of caffeine and alcohol consumption on liver fibrosis – a study of 1045 Asian hepatitis B patients using transient elastography

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02555.x/abstract

The effect of caffeine and alcohol consumption on liver fibrosis – a study of

1045 Asian hepatitis B patients using transient elastography

Arlinking Ong1,2, Wai-Sun Wong1, Grace Lai-Hung Wong1, Henry Lik-Yuen

Chan1

Article first published online: 31 MAY 2011

DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02555.x

© 2011 Wiley & Sons A/S

Issue

Liver International

Volume 31, Issue 7, pages 1047–1053, August 2011

Abstract

Background: Role of caffeine consumption in chronic hepatitis B virus

(HBV)-infected patients and the interaction with alcohol consumption is unclear.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between caffeine and

alcohol consumption and liver stiffness in chronic HBV-infected patients.

Methods: Chronic HBV-infected patients who underwent transient elastography

examination in 2006–2008 were studied. Advanced fibrosis was defined as liver

stiffness >9 kPa for patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or >12

kPa for those with elevated ALT according to previous validation study. Caffeine

and alcohol consumption was recorded using a standardized questionnaire.

Excessive alcohol intake was defined as 30 g/day in men and 20 g/day in women.

Results: The liver stiffness of 1045 patients who completed the questionnaire

was 8.3 ± 6.2 kPa. Two hundred and sixteen (20.7%) patients had advanced

fibrosis. Ninety-five (19.0%) patients who drank ≥1 cup of coffee had advanced

fibrosis, compared with 121 (22.2%) patients who drank <1 cup (P=0.21). The

amount of caffeine intake had positive correlation with the amount of alcohol

intake (rs=0.167, P<0.001). Although 231 (22.1%) patients reported alcohol

consumption, only 11 (1%) had excessive alcohol intake. The prevalence of

advanced fibrosis among patients with mild to moderate alcohol intake (26,

18.8%) was comparable to that among non-drinkers (190, 21.0%) (P=0.57).

Conclusion: Caffeine intake does not affect liver stiffness in chronic

HBV-infected patients. Patients who drink coffee regularly tend to drink

alcohol. Most chronic HBV-infected patients do not have excessive alcohol

consumption. The prevalence of advanced fibrosis among mild to moderate alcohol

drinkers was low in this population.