Journal
DIGESTIVE AND LIVER DISEASE
Volume 41, Issue 8, Pages 599-604Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2008.11.018
Keywords
Alcohol drinking; Coffee drinking; HCV infection; Tobacco smoking
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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. (c) 2009 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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