[Frontiers in Bioscience 14, 4071-4078, January 1, 2009]

Hazardous environmental factors enhance impairment of liver function in HBV and HCV hepatitis

Yasunori Yashima1, Tsunehiro Oyama1, Thi Thu Phuong Pham1, Tetunosuke Yamaguchi1, Rie Narai1, Toyohi Isse1, Hidetaka Uramoto2, Kenji Sugio2, Kosei Yasumoto2, Norio Kagawa3, Toshihiro Kawamoto1

1Department of Environmental Health, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan, 2Second Department of Surgery, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan, 3Global COE-MED, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Materials and methods
3.1. Definition of terms concerning occupational health
3.1.1. Hepatitis workers
3.1.2. Hazardous works
3.1.3. Usual work
3.2. Objects and questionnaires
3.3. Examinations
3.4. Statistics
4. Results
4.1. 1st step: Comparison of workers with hepatitis with controls
4.2. 2nd step: Comparison of workers with hepatitis engaged in hazardous works with workers with hepatitis engaged in usual works
4.3. 3rd step: Comparison among the four groups
5. Discussion
6. Acknowledgements
7. References

1. ABSTRACT

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) often cause chronic liver disease. We hypothesized that environmental factors adversely impact the liver function in workers with these types of hepatitis. We used liver function tests including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and g -glutamyltransferase to evaluate whether hazardous work conditions　increase the incidence of chronic liver disease among HBV and HCV infected workers. Organic solvent, night work, visual display terminals, dust, lead, vibrations, and ionizing radiation all led to increased impairment of liver function in patients with hepatitis as compared to the control group that were not exposed to such agents. Therefore, hazardous working conditions have to be carefully considered in the progress of chronic liver disease in workers infected with HBV and HCV.