The heterogeneity in the results of observational studies that investigated the association between alcohol consumption and risk of liver cirrhosis was analysed by means of a meta-analysis that included 15 articles published from 1978 to 1997. Relative risks associated with low levels of alcohol intake (25 g/day) ranged from 1.5 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4-1.5] for a linear model fitting the results of the six studies performed in Mediterranean areas, to 3.6 (95% CI 3.1-4.3) for a quadratic model fitting the results of the nine studies performed in other areas. A strong indication of heterogeneity was observed when combining all studies. Quadratic term of alcohol intake, quality of the study and area in which the study was performed explained most of this heterogeneity. Efforts should be made to explain the strong heterogeneity in the trend estimates. Reproducible methods to collect relevant and valid information on alcohol intake should be developed and the role of drinking patterns and viral and nutritional factors in modifying the effect of alcohol on the risk of liver cirrhosis should be investigated

Corrao, G., Bagnardi, V., Zambon, A., Torchio, P. (1998). Meta-analysis of alcohol intake in relation to risk of liver cirrhosis. ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOLISM, 33(4), 381-392 [10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008408].

Meta-analysis of alcohol intake in relation to risk of liver cirrhosis

Corrao, G;Bagnardi, V;Zambon, A;
1998

Abstract

The heterogeneity in the results of observational studies that investigated the association between alcohol consumption and risk of liver cirrhosis was analysed by means of a meta-analysis that included 15 articles published from 1978 to 1997. Relative risks associated with low levels of alcohol intake (25 g/day) ranged from 1.5 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4-1.5] for a linear model fitting the results of the six studies performed in Mediterranean areas, to 3.6 (95% CI 3.1-4.3) for a quadratic model fitting the results of the nine studies performed in other areas. A strong indication of heterogeneity was observed when combining all studies. Quadratic term of alcohol intake, quality of the study and area in which the study was performed explained most of this heterogeneity. Efforts should be made to explain the strong heterogeneity in the trend estimates. Reproducible methods to collect relevant and valid information on alcohol intake should be developed and the role of drinking patterns and viral and nutritional factors in modifying the effect of alcohol on the risk of liver cirrhosis should be investigated
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
alcohol; liver cirrhosis; meta-analysis
English
1998
33
4
381
392
none
Corrao, G., Bagnardi, V., Zambon, A., Torchio, P. (1998). Meta-analysis of alcohol intake in relation to risk of liver cirrhosis. ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOLISM, 33(4), 381-392 [10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008408].
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/709
Citazioni
  • Scopus 89
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 82
Social impact