Korean J Fam Med.  2018 Nov;39(6):360-363. 10.4082/kjfm.17.0135.

Comprehensive Laboratory Analysis of Korean Acute Alcoholic Intoxication Patients Reveals the Need for a National Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination Program in Korea

• Shin SY

• KMID: 2426829
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.17.0135

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Acute alcoholic intoxication patients (AAIP) are a common public health problem. The aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive laboratory analysis for these patients to investigate the co-morbid medical problem.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed laboratory findings of AAIP who were transferred to the emergency department (ED) from January 2017 to June 2017.
RESULTS
A total of 160 male patients were enrolled. Sixteen patients (16/160, 10.0%) and three patients (3/160, 1.9%) had macrocytic anemia and microcytic anemia, respectively. A total of 33 patients (33/160, 20.6%) showed thrombocytopenia ( < 150×109/L). Twelve patients (12/159, 7.5%) showed low serum albumin level ( < 3.5 g/dL). Three patients (3/160, 1.9%) had chronic kidney disease stages 3-4 based on estimated glomerular filtration rate. Six patients (6/27, 22.2%) had high hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level (>7.0%). Positive rates of hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-HBs antibody (anti-HBs Ab) were 3.5% (5/141) and 49.0% (68/141), respectively.
CONCLUSION
Patients with AAIP who were transferred to ED had various laboratory abnormalities (anemia, thrombocytopenia, high HbA1c). They had low positive rate of anti-HBs Ab. This might be a public health problem, suggesting the need of hepatitis B virus vaccination program for AAIP. Our data suggest the need of further nationwide studies.

Keyword

Alcoholic Intoxication; Chronic Disease; Hepatitis B Virus; Korea

MeSH Terms

Alcoholic Intoxication*
Alcoholics*
Anemia
Anemia, Macrocytic
Chronic Disease
Emergency Service, Hospital
Glomerular Filtration Rate
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Hepatitis B virus*
Hepatitis B*
Hepatitis*
Humans
Korea*
Male
Public Health
Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
Retrospective Studies
Serum Albumin
Thrombocytopenia
Vaccination
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Serum Albumin