Key clinical point: Heavy alcohol intake and ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism are associated with a significantly increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis.
Major finding: Alcohol intake amount (>160 vs 80-160 g/day: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.78; P = .04) and ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism (GA/AA vs GG genotype: aHR 5.61; P < .001) were significantly associated with an increased incidence of HCC.
Study details: This retrospective cohort study enrolled 1515 patients with cirrhosis due to heavy alcoholism or HBV infection.
Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, E-Da Hospital-National Taiwan University Hospital Joint Research Program, and others.
Source: Tsai MC et al. Association of heavy alcohol intake and ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism with hepatocellular carcinoma and mortality in patients with hepatitis B virus–related cirrhosis. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(7):e2223511 (Jul 25). Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.23511