BackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global public health burden, but there is limited understanding of the relationship of alcohol consumption with CKD.MethodsIn this cross-sectional multivariable study, all participants of a health check-up program in Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital in Taiwan from 2003 to 2009 (15 353 women and 11 900 men) were included for analysis. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was used to define CKD stage and history of alcohol consumption was obtained by self-reporting. Multivariable logistic regression analyses of gender-specific association of alcohol drinking with stage 3 CKD were conducted. A trend tests was conducted to check the dose–response relationship of alcohol consumption with renal disease. A sensitivity test was conducted to rule out the likelihood of reverse causality.ResultsThe prevalence of stage 3 CKD was lower in drinkers than non-drinkers (p < 0.001) and the percentage of drinkers with stage 3 CKD was less than that of non-drinkers. Multivariable analysis indicated that alcohol consumption was negatively associated with the presence of stage 3 CKD in men (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] for occasional drinking: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.59 ~ 0.78, p < 0.001; aOR for frequent drinking: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.35 ~ 0.63, p < 0.001). Advanced age, hypertension, anemia, BMI of at least 24, hyperuricemia, and proteinuria were also associated with stage 3 CKD in men. Trend tests indicated lower odds of having stage 3 CKD with increased alcohol consumption in both genders. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity tests also indicated the reverse association between alcohol consumption and stage 3 CKD in men regardless of age, diabetes status, and other risky behaviors.ConclusionsAlcohol consumption was inversely associated with stage 3 CKD in Taiwanese men. However, considering the potential of other health damage with alcohol consumption, the current results should be interpreted cautiously.

606 GROWING Leislziizcrnicr doizovani I N TISSUE CULTURES centage following vitamin C medication. On the other hand, iron therapy was followed in most cases by a significant increase in hematocrit, erythrocyte and hemoglobin values, although, as expected, the plasma vitamin C concentration remained subnormal as before in all instances. The average increase of hematocrit was from 332.8 to 37.376, that of erythrocyte count from 3.20 to 3.74 million per cu mm, and that of hemoglobin from 9.2 to 12.1 g per 100 cc.The mean corpuscular volume and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin showed insignificant variations, while the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration evinced a definite increase after the iron administration. No distinct rise in reticulocyte count was noted.Sumwzaqf. Anemia appears to be common in association with vitamin C deficiency among the inmates of a municipal relief institution studied. Therapeutic results indicate that the anemia is not due to lack of vitamin C per se, but related in all probability to a concomitant iron deficiency.

BackgroundStudies have associated betel nut chewing with cancers, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disorders, chronic kidney disease, and proteinuria. This study investigated whether hyperuricemia is associated with betel nut chewing in men who participated in a health check-up program.MethodsFrom hospital records, we identified a total of 11,991 men who participated in the health check-up program from 2003 to 2009. They were divided into hyperuricemic group and non-hyperuricemic group. Laboratory tests, medical history, and status of cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and betel nut chewing were compared between the 2 groups. We calculated odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of hyperuricemia in association with betel nut consumption and other factors.ResultsCompared with the non-hyperuricemic group, the hyperuricemic group was slightly older (59.4 vs. 58.6 years) but less prevalent with betel nut use (11.8 vs. 13.6%, p = 0.003). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that hyperuricemia was negatively associated with betel nut chewing (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.66-0.84), older age (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.77-0.93), and diabetes mellitus (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.50-0.64). On the other hand, hyperuricemia was positively associated with body mass index (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.62-1.90), drinking (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.25-1.49), hypertension (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.30-1.52), mixed hyperlipidemia (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.33-2.54), chronic kidney disease (OR 3.28, 95% CI 2.94-3.65), and proteinuria (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.08-1.38). Smoking, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia had no significant association with hyperuricemia.ConclusionOur data suggest that betel nut chewing is negatively associated with hyperuricemia.

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