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 antiHBs 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.

Citations

• Efficiency of Flossing Technique Application among Dental Students at Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  Rakan S Shaheen, Mohammed M Aldosari, Humod A Altuwaijri, Faris T Arnous, Abdullah A Alamro, Rayan A Almarshedi
  Journal of Oral Health and Community Dentistry.2019; 13(3): 63.     CrossRef

Background
: Heavy drinking may be a cause of serious health problems in hepatitis B virus carriers. The aim of this study was to reveal the degree of drinking problems in the Korean hepatitis B virus healthy carriers.

Methods : The subjects were 218 hepatitis B virus healthy carriers (124 males and 94 females) recruited from those who visited the Health Promotion Center of Chungnam National University Hospital for a general health check-up. Drinking problems of the subjects were evaluated by the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) questionnaire.

Results : The AUDIT scores (mean±SD) of the male subjects (9.6±7.9) were significantly (P＜0.001) higher than those of the female subjects (2.7±5.2). The individuals with heavy drinking (more than 14 drinks in males and 7 drinks in females per week) are 24 (19.4%) in males and 5 (5.3%) in females. Alcohol use disorders were suspected in 36 (29.0%) males and 4 (4.3%) females.

Conclusion : It is suggested that, in Korea, clinical attention in primary health care should be focused on reducing the alcohol consumption among the hepatitis B virus carriers, considering a large proportion have drinking problems and the possible harmful effect on their health by heavy drinking.

Background
: Hepatitis B is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocelluar carcinoma. It is a well-known fact that Korea is one of the hyperendemic areas of Hepatitis B virus among East Asian countries. Many pnst reports have shown that positive rate of HBsAg in Korea was about 6-14%. But precise data for Yongdong area of Kwangwon Province in Korea was lacking. Here authors report on the prevalence of viral markers of hepatitis B among adults in this area.

Methods : Sera were collected from 7469 residents in Yongdong area of Kwangwon Province who visited the Health Care Center, Asan Kangnung Hospital from September 11th to August 31th. HBsAg, AntiHBc-lgG, and AntiHBs were tested by radioimmunoassay.

Results : Positive rate of HSsAg of total study subjects was 8.5%, and significantly decreased as age increased, and higher in males(10.2%) than in females (6.6%). Positive rate for one or more markers among HBsAg, AntiHBc-lgG, and AntiHBs was 84%, and was significantly increased as age increased, and higher in males(86.2%) than in females(81.2%). All negative rate for HBsAg, AntiHBc-lgG, and AntiHBs was 16.0% and all positive rate was 0.5%. Positive rate of AntiHBc-lgG without HBsAg and AntiHBs was 15.7% Positive rate of AntiHBs without HBsAg and AntiHBc-lgG was 11.7%. Positive rate of AntihHBc-lgG and AntiHBs was 72.1% and 60.2%, respectively.

Conclusion : There was no significant difference in positive rate of HBsAg between this study for residents in Yongdong area of Kwangwon Province and past many reports. 84% of the total study subjects showed serological evidence of previous exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) naturally exposed or by vaccine immunization. 16% of the total study subjects was a proper candidate for hepatitis B vaccination.