Independent and joint effects of moderate alcohol consumption and smoking on the risks of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in elderly Chinese men

PLoS One. 2017 Jul 20;12(7):e0181497. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181497. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Background: Whether cigarette smoking and moderate drinking are associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)has not been fully described. This study investigated the separate and joint effects of smoking and moderate drinking on Chinese men with NAFLD.

Methods: Across-sectional assay from DFTJ Cohort study was performed with a size of 9432 elderly Chinese men excluding excessive alcohol consumption (<210g/week). Fatty liver was diagnosed by standardized ultrasonographic inspection. The odds ratio (OR) of alcohol consumption and smoking for the prevalence of NAFLD were analyzed using multiple logistic regression with multiple adjustments.

Results: The prevalence of NAFLD in current smokers (pack-year≥40) and drinkers (80~210g/week or drinking duration≥35years) was significantly higher than that in non-smokers and non-drinkers, respectively. The combination of current smoking (pack-year≥40) and drinking (80~210g/week) was associated with the highest risk of NAFLD (OR 1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-2.68;P<0.01). The similar combined effect was found in participants with pack-year≥40 and drinking duration≥35 years (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.26-2.34;P<0.01). Moreover, an interaction was observed between current smoking and moderate drinking in NAFLD.

Conclusions: In elderly Chinese men, cigarette smoking and moderate alcohol consumption exerts an evident joint effect and interaction on the prevalence of NAFLD, although both are significantly and independently associated with NAFLD prevalence. Such findings highlight particular significance of avoidance of cigarette and alcohol on NAFLD prevention.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology*
  • Asian People
  • China
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Logistic Models
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / epidemiology*
  • Odds Ratio
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking / epidemiology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Ultrasonography

Grants and funding

This study is financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81472979 and 81402673). Yuhan Tang was participated in analysis and interpretation of data, and in critical revision of the manuscript. Ping Yao was involved in study concept and design, as well as critical revision of the manuscript.