 |
|
Doubling of deaths from alcoholic liver disease - drug abuse during 1970s and 1980s may explain why
July 31, 2002Middle-aged men could be at increased risk of death from liver disease, as a result of illicit intravenous drug use during the 1970s and 1980s, according to a study published today.
Researchers from Imperial College London studied the numbers of deaths in England from alcohol related illness between 1993 and 1999 recorded by the Office of National Statistics. They discovered that deaths from alcohol-related illness rose by 59 per cent for men, and 40 per cent for women, while deaths from unspecified alcohol liver damage rose by 259 per cent in men aged between 40 and 59 years old. A rise of this size did not occur in women of any age or younger men.
Professor John Henry, from Imperial College, and based at St Mary’s Hospital, says: “Although there has been this huge rise in the numbers of deaths from alcoholic liver damage in men, there has not been a similar rise in the amount of alcohol consumed.”
“At the same time, there has been a marked increase in the number of hepatitis C cases, with up to 300,000 infected in Britain. In hepatitis C sufferers alcohol consumption has been shown to cause accelerated liver damage, a higher frequency of cirrhosis, and a higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma, eventually leading to death.”
The researchers looked at data from the Public Health Laboratory Service which suggested that 80 per cent of hepatitis C transmission is associated with intravenous drug use.
Although circumstantial, the researchers believe there is a link between this rise in the number of hepatitis C cases, and illicit intravenous drug use during the 1970s and 1980s, when hepatitis C may have been picked up through the use of infected needles.
Professor Henry adds: “Although we have no evidence that men currently aged between 40 and 59 years have a higher lifetime history of illicit drug use than younger or older groups, these are people who would have been involved in the heroin epidemic of 1970s and 1980s. Significantly, this was before the introduction of needle exchange and other interventions instigated in the late 1980s to reduce the risk of HIV transmission in drug users.”
Imperial College, University of London
“At the same time, there has been a marked increase in the number of hepatitis C cases, with up to 300,000 infected in Britain. In hepatitis C sufferers alcohol consumption has been shown to cause accelerated liver damage, a higher frequency of cirrhosis, and a higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma, eventually leading to death.”
The researchers looked at data from the Public Health Laboratory Service which suggested that 80 per cent of hepatitis C transmission is associated with intravenous drug use.
Although circumstantial, the researchers believe there is a link between this rise in the number of hepatitis C cases, and illicit intravenous drug use during the 1970s and 1980s, when hepatitis C may have been picked up through the use of infected needles.
Professor Henry adds: “Although we have no evidence that men currently aged between 40 and 59 years have a higher lifetime history of illicit drug use than younger or older groups, these are people who would have been involved in the heroin epidemic of 1970s and 1980s. Significantly, this was before the introduction of needle exchange and other interventions instigated in the late 1980s to reduce the risk of HIV transmission in drug users.”
Imperial College, University of London
Hepatitis Current Events and Hepatitis News RSSChildhood vaccines cause financial burden to many health care providers
The costs that health care providers are charged and reimbursed for childhood vaccines vary widely, and the high cost of some immunizations is leading to significant financial strain for some physicians, according to a pair of new studies from the University of Michigan Health System.
Antibiotics: Single largest class of drugs causing liver injury
Antibiotics are the single largest class of agents that cause idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (DILI), reports a new study in Gastroenterology, an official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute.
Study unmasks how ovarian tumors evade immune system
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have determined how the characteristic shedding of fatty substances, or lipids, by ovarian tumors allows the cancer to evade the body's immune system, leaving the disease to spread unchecked
Nature Medicine study shows Peregrine's bavituximab can cure lethal virus infections
Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: PPHM) today reported publication of data in Nature Medicine that supports the broad anti-viral potential of the company's novel anti-phosphatidylserine (anti-PS) antibody platform, showing that its PS-targeting drug bavituximab can cure lethal virus infections in animal disease models.
UT Southwestern researchers develop new strategy for broad spectrum anti-viral drugs
Bavituximab, an anti-viral drug developed by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers, shows promise as a new strategy to fight viral diseases, including potential bioterrorism agents.
Common cold virus came from birds
A virus that causes cold-like symptoms in humans originated in birds and may have crossed the species barrier around 200 years ago, according to an article published in the December issue of the Journal of General Virology. Scientists hope their findings will help us understand how potentially deadly viruses emerge in humans.
Study finds Canada's supervised injection facility cost-effective
Canada's only supervised injection facility is extending lives and saving the health-care system millions of dollars, a new study shows.
Tibotec presents interim findings for TMC435, an investigational genotype 1 hepatitis C treatment
New clinical data show antiviral activity of TMC435, an investigational protease inhibitor (PI) being developed by Tibotec BVBA for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
Mayo Clinic's new imaging technology accurately identifies a broad spectrum of liver disease
A new study shows that an imaging technology developed by Mayo Clinic researchers can identify liver fibrosis with high accuracy and help eliminate the need for liver biopsies. Liver fibrosis is a common condition that can lead to incurable cirrhosis if not treated in time.
Pakistan introduces vaccine to prevent top child killer
This month, Pakistan is introducing a new combination vaccine that will protect its children against the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and four other common childhood diseases.
More Hepatitis Current Events and Hepatitis News Articles
 | Hepatitis C Cookbook: Easy and Delicious Recipes by Heather Jeanne Hepatitis C is a potentially fatal virus that attacks the liver. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Hepatitis C has already infected an estimated four to five million Americans, and worldwide it may have infected as many as 200 million. Most experts agree that if the rate of Hepatitis C infection isn’t curbed soon, it will eventually kill more people each year than AIDS. However,... |
 | Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide To Hepatitis and Liver Disease by Melissa Palmer In the United States alone, more than four million people are infected with the hepatitis C virus, and chronic liver disease is the twelfth leading cause of death. In this revised and updated edition of her groundbreaking 2000 book, renowned hepatologist Dr. Melissa Palmer discusses all facets of liver disease, from symptoms and tests to treatment options and lifestyle changes. In addition,... |
 | The Hepatitis C Help Book, Revised Edition: A Groundbreaking Treatment Program Combining Western and Eastern Medicine for Maximum Wellness and Healing by Misha Ruth Cohen, Robert Gish, Kalia Doner A fully updated and revised edition of an important health guide, including the latest information on optimum interferon protocol. Hepatitis C has been called "the emergent and preeminent public-health problem of the twenty-first century--surpassing HIV." It has also been dubbed "The Shadow Epidemic," because it is one of the most clandestine of viruses and infects healthy people who have no... |
 | Living with Hepatitis C: A Survivor's Guide, Fourth Edition (Living with) by Gregory T. Everson, Hedy Weinberg "An extremely useful title…recommended."—Library JournalLiving with Hepatitis C was the first book to explain in everyday language the causes of the disease, the major and minor symptoms, and all of the latest treatments, including pegylated interferons. Since its first publication, researchers have made dramatic strides in helping the millions of Americans who suffer from this deadly... |
 | Living With Hepatitis C For Dummies by Nina L. Paul A comprehensive, empathetic guide for anyone suffering from this serious liver disease Approximately 4 million Americans and 170 million people worldwide suffer from hepatitis C, a viral liver disease that is treatable but not curable. It accounts for more than 40 percent of U.S. liver disease deaths–about 8,000 to 10,000 people annually–and is the most common reason for liver... |
 | Triumph Over Hepatitis C by Lloyd Wright This is the third edition, 2nd printing. This edition of Triumph Over Hepatitis C includes all new information updates. It is important for the reader to understand that HCV has not changed, the way to health has not changed. The only thing that has changed is Big Pharm's quest for your money and their complete disregard for your... |
 | The Hepatitis C Handbook by Matthew Dolan This definitive guide explains clearly what Hepatitis C is, outlines the course of the disease and the associated symptoms, and describes how it is transmitted. The author discusses available treatments as well as lifestyle changes that may help. Extensive sections on herbs, vitamins, and nutritional supplements are also... |
 | Living Healthy with Hepatitis C: Natural and Conventional Approaches to Recover Your Quality of Life by Harriet A. Washington As many as four million Americans suffer from the hepatitis C virus (HCV), but most don't even know they're infected. Here at last is the unprecedented book that smashes the myths about the disease as it offers authoritative, lifesaving information you won't find anywhere else. Living Healthy with Hepatitis C is your ultimate weapon against the biggest killer of all: fear. Discover new hope and... |
 | The First Year: Hepatitis C: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The) by Cara Bruce, Lisa Montanarelli The fifth-year anniversary of the book ushers in a new phase of treatment and information, including protease inhibitors (which have been so successful in treating HIV), split-liver transplants, and prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines for HCV. Bruce and Montanarelli also offer updated information on medications that are toxic to the liver; Eastern and Western approaches to healing; nutrition... |
 | Hepatitis B: The Hunt for a Killer Virus by Baruch S. Blumberg About 375 million people are infected with the hepatitis B virus. It has killed more people than AIDS and also causes millions of cases of liver cancer. The discovery of this deadly virus and the vaccine against it--a vaccine that is sharply decreasing the infection rate worldwide and is probably the first effective cancer vaccine--was one of the great triumphs of twentieth-century medicine. And... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |