Alcoholic Liver Disease: Correlation with Type, Amount and Duration of Alcohol Consumption.

aliphatic alcohols like methanol, 1-propanolol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, iso-amyl alcohol and heavy meta l s espec ia l ly l ead depending on the nature of raw materials used and production techniques.11,12 Though alcohol consumption in India has existed since many through centuries, quantity, quality and pattern of consumption has undergone substant ial change especially in recent years. However, the a lcohol re la ted data both regarding quantity, production and illness are lacking because as few scientific studies are available.13,14 In this issue Nityanand et al15 have reported in a hospital study involving 201 patients of ALD, and correlation between alcohol intake and type of alcohol and severity of ALD. Though ALD severity did show correlation with prognostic markers and complications like h e p a t i c e n c e p h a l o p a t h y , n o correlation was observed between the amount and type of alcohol consumed unl ike in previous s tudy by Narwane et a l f rom Mumbai14 where correlation was observed between incidence ALD and country liquor use. Regarding incidence of ALD, information from our country is scanty as hardly any information is available regarding contaminants in alcohol especially in illicit alcohol and genetic factors involved in this mult iethnic country. 16 Studies preferably prospective involving Alcoholic Liver Disease: Correlation with Type, Amount and Duration of Alcohol Consumption