PURPOSE: We studied hepatic abnormalities and indices of hepatic function i
n relation to exposure to 2,3,7,8- tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (dioxin) in
veterans of Operation Ranch Hand, the Air Force unit responsible for the ae
rial spraying of herbicides in Vietnam from 1962 to 1971.
METHODS: The prevalence of ever having liver disease through March 1993, an
d level of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma -glu
tamyltransferase (GGT), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase, a
nd total bilirubin were examined according to serum dioxin levels.
RESULTS: We found an increased risk of "other liver disorders" among vetera
ns with the highest dioxin levels [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.6, 95% conf
idence interval (CI) 1.2 to 2.1], due primarily to increased transaminases
or LDH (adjusted OR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.4 to 5.1) and to other nonspecific live
r abnormalities (adjusted OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.0).
CONCLUSIONS: Whether the associations observed were causal is unclear from
these data. Ann Epidemiol 2001;11:304-311. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. A
ll rights reserved.