Study: Hispanics More Likely To Develop Liver Disease From Alcohol

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Hispanics are more likely to get alcoholic liver disease, and get it at younger ages, according to a new study, Inquisitr reports.

The study, by the UC Davis Health System, conducted a retrospective chart review of more than 1,500 patients with alcoholic liver disease—a spectrum of diseases including alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis that often result from long duration of high amounts of alcohol.

Not everyone is affected by alcohol the same way.

Even if the same amount of alcohol is consumed, the liver damage from alcohol in some people can be more severe than in others, suggesting that other factors, such as genes and environment, can influence the development of liver damage.

In the study, more Hispanic people get alcoholic liver disease, even when removing other risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes, and HIV infection.

Also, Hispanics present with the condition 4-10 years younger than whites or blacks.

“The development of ALD in Hispanics several years younger than whites…did not appear to be due to other possible factors such as chronic viral hepatitis C, diabetes or obesity, all of which are can cause liver damage,” said Christopher L. Bowlus, of the UC Davis Health System. “Genetic and environmental factors may play an important role as they can accelerate the onset and progression of [alcoholic liver disease]. There might also be differences in the pattern of drinking and type of alcohol consumed.”

Researchers suggest that physicians screen patients for the presence and extent of alcoholic drinking, and that Hispanics be on alert to their drinking habits.

“Hispanics may find it important to know that heavy drinkers can develop [alcoholic live disease] at a younger age, that obesity contributes to this risk, and that preventive steps should be taken if their relatives or friends engage in risky drinking behavior,” said Valentina Medici of the UC Davis Health System.