RESUMO
Background: Alcohol-related chronic liver disease (ALD) and its complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality. Predisposing factors for ALD include the amount, type, duration of alcohol consumption, patient’s genetic predisposition, race, sex, and other comorbid conditions. Aims: To study the dose, duration, and type of alcohol consumption in ALD and the effect of these parameters on severity and outcome Methods: This was a prospective study conducted at the Department of Gastroenterology, SMS hospital, Jaipur, between December 2017 to December 2018. All patients with alcoholic liver disease admitted in the department were consecutively enrolled. Data relating to dose, duration, type, alcohol intake pattern, biochemical, ultrasonographic, and clinical parameters were analysed. Results: One hundred ten patients (age 43.5±9.9, all-male) were studied. Mean alcohol consumption was 130.47±35.37gm/day. Sixty-three (57.3%) patients consumed <120gm, 25(22.7%) between 120-239gm, while 22(20%) patients consumed =240gm of alcohol per day. The mean duration of alcohol consumption was 15.89±6.57 years. Fifty-nine (53.63%) patients consumed country-made spirit, 25 (22.72%) branded spirit, 23 (20.91%) mixed or variable type, while three (2.73%) patients consumed only wine. The occurrence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) was significantly associated with dose (p <0.001) and type (p <0.001) of alcohol consumption. MELD Na score significantly correlated (r=0.48, p <0.001) with dose of alcohol. Conclusion: Our study found a dose-dependent relationship of alcohol intake with hepatic encephalopathy and MELD-Na score. The incidence of ALD did not change with the type of alcohol consumed. Low lymphocyte counts were significantly associated with dose and duration of alcohol intake.