Letter to the Editor: Can Colder Weather and Fewer Sunlight Hours Truly Increase Alcohol Consumption and Alcoholic Cirrhosis?

Hepatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 762-762
Author(s):  
Gin‐Ho Lo
Hepatology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 1916-1930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meritxell Ventura‐Cots ◽  
Ariel E. Watts ◽  
Monica Cruz‐Lemini ◽  
Neil D. Shah ◽  
Nambi Ndugga ◽  
...  

Medicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Akihiko Shibamoto ◽  
Tadashi Namisaki ◽  
Junya Suzuki ◽  
Takahiro Kubo ◽  
Satoshi Iwai ◽  
...  

: Background: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GTP) to assess the single and combined benefits of these biological markers for the detection of chronic excessive alcohol consumption in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Methods: Biological markers were determined in blood samples from patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (drinking group, n = 35; nondrinking group, n = 81). The prediction accuracy of %CDT alone, γ-GTP alone, and their combination for the detection of excessive alcohol consumption was determined in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Results: Serum total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-GTP, and alkaline phosphatase levels and %CDT were significantly higher and serum albumin levels were significantly lower in the drinking group than in the nondrinking group. The combination of %CDT and γ-GTP compared with %CDT or γ-GTP alone showed a higher prediction accuracy. The combination of %CDT and γ-GTP exhibited a higher specificity than γ-GTP alone. However, in terms of sensitivity, no significant difference was found between single or combined markers. Conclusions: The combination of %CDT and γ-GTP is considered a useful biomarker of chronic excessive alcohol consumption in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 8-15
Author(s):  
Chanita Unhapipatpong ◽  
Daruneewan Warodomwichit ◽  
Kumutnart Chanprapaph

A 54-year-old Thai female with known alcoholic cirrhosis presented with chronic scaly eczematous patches and plaque for over 1 month. Initially, she was treated with oral antibiotics, but the lesions did not improve. The dermatologic examination and history of alcoholic cirrhosis were compatible with zinc deficiency. Moreover, copper deficiency was found together with zinc deficiency. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause zinc and copper co-deficiency. To avoid aggravated copper deficiency after zinc supplementation, copper and zinc were supplemented together in appropriate proportions. On the 2-week follow-up examination, her clinical outcome improved.


2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1809-1818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Alén ◽  
Laura Orio ◽  
Miguel Á Gorriti ◽  
Raquel Gómez de Heras ◽  
María Teresa Ramírez-López ◽  
...  

AbstractThe use of antidepressants for alcoholism in humans has been a matter of controversy in recent years. Despite the existence of an important co-morbidity for depression and alcoholism, some studies suggest that the use of antidepressants could worsen the prognosis of alcoholism. However, there is a lack of studies in animal models exploring this phenomenon. In the present study, we show how the 15-d treatment with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) or venlafaxine (50 mg/kg) affected alcohol deprivation effect (ADE) and subsequent alcohol consumption. Initially, fluoxetine reduced ADE and venlafaxine did not affect it. However, in the following days, both antidepressants increased alcohol consumption, an effect that was found to last at least 5 wk. Fluoxetine treatment was shown to cause a locomotor sensitized response to a challenge dose of amphetamine (0.5 mg/kg), indicating the presence of a supersensitive dopaminergic transmission. In summary, antidepressant treatment may increase alcohol consumption in rats after a period of alcohol deprivation and this could be related to alterations in the reward circuitry. This finding confirms in an animal model previous reports in humans that may limit the use of antidepressants for alcoholism.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mansoor N Chaudhry ◽  
Mahmood Ahmad ◽  
Abeeda Butt

Abstract Introduction The first national lockdown was imposed in Ireland from 27th March 2020, to combat the spread of Coronavirus. All non-essential travel, businesses, sporting activities and schools were closed. The elderly were advised to cocoon. The roadmap to easing the restrictions started in May. The lockdown measures resulted in people spending more time indoors, with impact on social and personal wellbeing. This had the potential to increase alcohol consumption, self inflicted injuries and neglect. The purpose of our study is to analyze the variations in orthopedic trauma presentations during the pandemic compared to similar period in 2018 and 2019. Method Retrospective data was collected from Orthopedic theatre registry of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Co Louth, Ireland. Patients operated by orthopedic trauma team in three months period (March, April & May) in 2018, 2019 and 2020 were selected for analysis and comparison. Result Total number of surgeries performed in March-May 2018, 2019 and 2020 were 551, 505 and 373 showing a significant reduction in 2020 as compared to previous years. Trauma surgeries performed on children in March-May 2018,2019 and 2020 were 132,131 and 90 respectively, showing a similar downward trend. Surgeries were further categorized into Major +, Major, Intermediate and Minor according to their level of complexity. Although there was a significant reduction seen in Major, Intermediate and Minor surgeries, no significant difference was observed in Major + surgeries (73 in March-May 2020 vs. 79 in March-May 2019 and 57 in March-May 2018). Conclusion Significant reduction was seen in overall trauma surgeries which is attributable to lockdown measures. The difference in trend between Major + and other categories of surgeries can be explained by the reduction in sporting injuries and injuries in children whereas no significant difference was noted in hip fractures.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Bharathraj M. Y

Background : In case of ischemic hepatic disease, patients with severe heart failure usually remain asymptomatic, while for patients with congestive hepatopathy, signs of right-sided heart failure could mask hepatic injury. However, changes in hepatic function, that are proven by laboratory tests are significant¬ in predicting the survival of patients with severe heart failure. There is possible considerable changes in the involvement of cardiac morbidity among both alcoholics and non alcoholics. This study evaluates the cardiac profile of cirrhotic individuals with respect to their alcohol consumption. Materials and methods : It is a comparative cross sectional study carried out at Medical department of SSIMS and RC, a tertiary medical institute in central part of the Karnataka. Study randomly selected patients with cirrhosis which comprised of 50 alcoholics and 50 non alcoholics. A normal group of 50 individuals without history of alcohol consumption and cirrhosis were selected for secondary comparison. Non Probability Purposive Sampling Technique is used and data was analyzed using latest SPSS for windows. Results : ECHO revealed that all the patients with alcoholic and non alcoholic cirrhosis had abnormal LVIDd (>56mm). LV mass abnormality was found among 76% of patients with non alcoholic cirrhosis compared to 66% of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. High Ejection fraction abnormality was found among only 4% of patients with non alcoholic cirrhosis. The abnormal E/A ratio was observed among 8% of patients with non alcoholic cirrhosis compared to 4% of alcoholic cirrhosis patients. Conclusion : 2D Echocardiography showed increase in LAD, LVIDd and LV mass among cirrhotic patients thereby suggesting definitive cardiac involvement. The cardiovascular abnormalities did not show much differences between the alcoholic and non alcoholic patients. all cirrhotic patients irrespective of their aetiology has to undergo a cardiovascular evaluation.


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