Association between smoking, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase-2 1-1 status, and alcohol drinking among Taiwanese polyvinyl chloride workers

To study the factors affecting alcohol consumption, among Taiwanese workers , we conducted an investigation of the association between alcohol drinking and smoking, aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) status, alcohol dehydrogenas e-2 (ADH2) status, any history of abnormal liver function, and hepatitis B and C viral infection. The subjects included 207 male workers who had been followed-up with respect to liver function periodically since 1992. Informa tion relating to current alcohol consumption and smoking habits was obtaine d by an inter-viewer-administered questionnaire in 1996, and any history of liver function and hepatitis B and C virus infection was obtained from, pr evious medical surveillance, Genotypes of ALDH2 and ADH2 were determined by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment polymorphism assay. Results have revealed that smoking and ALDH2 1-1 status were associated with curre nt alcohol consumption (respectively: odds ratio, 23.3; P < 0.01 and odds r atio, 14.5; P < 0.05). Neither a history, of abnormal liver function nor a history, of hepatitis B and/or C infection was associated with current alco hol consumption. It seems that only those with ALDH2 1-1 who are smokers co nsume alcohol. We conclude that smoking and inherited ALDH2 1-1 are the mos t important determinants of alcohol consumption. In addition to the medical advice of physicians in their yearly health check-zips, worksite health-pr omotion programs based on both alcohol consumption habits and smoking cessa tion should be instituted forthwith, particularly for those who demonstrate the Potential for developing liver damage.