[An epidemiologic study of the prevalence of alcohol consumption in the Council of Tineo (Asturias)].

AIMS: To know the incidence and prevalence of alcohol consumption in the studied area and also the somatometric alterations and laboratory findings found.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

One prospective study was performed in one-way, transversal in a sample of 216 people. With a protocol we collect the data of alcohol habits and also physical examination and biochemical findings. We divided the sample into two groups: Group I "heavy drinkers" (men with ethanol intake greater than 100 g/day, and women more than 50 g/day), and Group II composed by abstemics and slight drinkers.

RESULTS

We found and excessive intake of alcohol in the 15.75%, the whole sample (11.6% males and 4.17% females). Mean age was of 41.7% +/- 12.1 y.o. Un group I we found slight jaundice in 32.3% spinders in 64.7%, hepatomegaly in 58.8%, palmar erythema in 29.4% gynecomastia in 29.4% and Dupuytren in 11.8% (p < 0.001). Of the symptoms we found matutinal cough in 52.9%, epigastric burning in 64.7%, nausea and vomiting in 41.2% and hands tremors in 29.4% (p < 0.001). Biochemical parameters elevated were found in TGC TGO/TGP, GGT and amylase.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study we confirm the excessive alcohol consumption in this rural area of Tineo in Asturias. We also found an important increase of alcohol intake in last year in women. The utility of analytical and exploratory findings is also proved for the early diagnosis of this illness in the ambulatory study of these patients.