The effect of chronic alcohol abuse on liver damage and function – analysis of basic biochemical and coagulological parameters

Introduction
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the duration of alcohol dependence on liver function and the degree of hepatocytes damage.

Material and methods
The study included 400 men with diagnosed alcohol dependence based on ICD-10, and 50 non-dependent males, who formed the control group. Alcohol dependent patients were divided into 4 groups according to the duration of dependence: I (1-5 years), II (6-10), III (11-15) and IV (16-20). In all groups, serum aminotransferases, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), total protein, albumin, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were tested and statistically analysed.

Results
Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and GGT were positively correlated with the duration of alcohol dependence. Serum albumin and total protein were negatively correlated. A U-shaped relationship between duration of alcohol dependence and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was observed.

Discussion
Alanine, aspartate, GGT, ALP and bilirubin are parameters assessing liver function. According to many studies they allow to differentiate the aetiology of liver dysfunction to alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The degree of dysfunction can be assessed on the basis of albumin concentrations and coagulation parameters.

Conclusions
The adverse effect of chronic alcohol abuse on liver function is observed even after 1-5 years of dependence. After this time the damage of hepatocytes is almost evident. After 16 years of alcohol dependence, liver function is seriously impaired, as is shown in a greatly reduced concentration of total protein and albumin. Negative alcohol effect on the liver is also seen in impaired clotting.