Alcohol and coffee drinking and smoking habit among subjects with HCV infection

Zani, C.; Donato, F.; Chiesa, M.; Baiguera, C.; Gelatti, U.; Covolo, L.; Antonini, M.G.; Nasta, P.; Gatti, F.; Orizio, G.; Puoti, M.

doi:10.1016/j.dld.2008.11.018

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Volume 41, Issue 8 , Pages 599-604, August 2009

Alcohol and coffee drinking and smoking habit among subjects with HCV infection

C. Zani
- Department of Experimental and Applied Medicine, Institute of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
F. Donato
- Department of Experimental and Applied Medicine, Institute of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Corresponding author at: Sezione di Igiene, Epidemiologia e Sanità Pubblica, Università di Brescia, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy. Tel.: +39 030 3838602; fax: +39 030 370 1404.
M. Chiesa
- Department of Experimental and Applied Medicine, Institute of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
C. Baiguera
- Liver Unit of the Infectious Diseases Department, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
U. Gelatti
- Department of Experimental and Applied Medicine, Institute of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
L. Covolo
- Department of Experimental and Applied Medicine, Institute of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
M.G. Antonini
- Liver Unit of the Infectious Diseases Department, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
P. Nasta
- Liver Unit of the Infectious Diseases Department, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
F. Gatti
- Liver Unit of the Infectious Diseases Department, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
G. Orizio
- Department of Experimental and Applied Medicine, Institute of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
M. Puoti
- Liver Unit of the Infectious Diseases Department, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy

Received 28 July 2008; accepted 20 November 2008. published online 30 January 2009.

Abstract

Background/aims

The aims were to estimate among patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection the prevalence of alcohol and coffee intake and smoking habit, the reliability of these self-reported data and the possible change of patients’ habit after their first contact with a Viral Hepatitis Service.

Methods

229 patients were initially interviewed personally at the Viral Hepatitis Service and after 6 months they were re-interviewed by phone in regard to their alcohol, coffee drinking and smoking habits.

Results

Alcohol drinkers were 55.5% of males and 35.3% of females. Most subjects drank coffee daily, both men (90.0%) and women (84.9%). The proportion of current smokers was higher in males (43.6%) than females (26.9%). We found a fair to good reliability of self-reported data regarding patients’ habits, alcohol and coffee intake, and number of cigarettes smoked daily.

We observed a statistically significant decrease in alcohol and coffee intake and cigarettes smoked between baseline and follow-up interviews.

Conclusion

We found a fairly high proportion of HCV-infected patients who regularly drink alcohol and coffee beverages and smoke cigarettes, especially among males. The reliability of self-reported data on these habits seems satisfactory. More decisive action to modify these habits, especially alcohol intake, is required in these patients.

Keywords: Alcohol drinking, Coffee drinking, HCV infection, Tobacco smoking