To evaluate this hypothesis, researchers from Hôpital Henri Mondor
in Creteil, France, evaluated the impact of caffeine consumption on histological
activity grade and ALT levels in 238 treatment-naive patients with histologically
proven chronic hepatitis C. They collected data on patient demographics, route
of HCV transmission, HCV genotype, body mass index (BMI), ALT level at the time
of liver biopsy, steatosis,
histological activity grade, and METAVIR fibrosis stage.
Participants
were asked about their daily consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine during
the 6 months preceding liver biopsy. Daily caffeine consumption was estimated
by adding the mean intake of coffee, tea, and caffeine-containing soda, and subjects
were classified into 4 groups according to caffeine consumption.
Results
Participants included 154 men and 84 women, with a mean age of 45.4 years.
There was a significant inverse relationship between histological activity grade
and daily caffeine consumption (P < 0.001).
No relationship was observed between daily caffeine consumption and ALT level.
In a
multivariate analysis, caffeine intake greater than 407 mg/day (about 3 cups)
predicted a lesser risk of moderate or marked histological activity grade (OR
0.46; P = 0.003).
Other factors independently associated with activity grade were moderate or severe
steatosis (OR 3.30; P = 0.004), age greater than 40 years (OR 2.15; P = 0.018),
and ALT level (OR 1.02; P < 0.001).
Daily caffeine consumption (mg/day)
Numberof
subjects
Moderate-marked
histological activity grade (A2-A3) n
(%)
<
224
59
45
(77.5)
225-407
57
35
(61.4)
408-679
62
32
(51.6)
>679
60
29
(48.3)
Conclusion
In
conclusion, the authors wrote, "caffeine consumption appears to have a positive
impact on histological activity in patients with chronic hepatitis C."
11/17/06
Reference C
Hezode, C Costentin, F Roudot-Thoraval, and others. Impact of Caffeine Consumption
on Histological Activity in Patients with Chronic Active Hepatitis C. 57th AASLD.
Boston, MA. October 27-31, 2006. Abstract 216.
Some
recent studies have shown that caffeine consumption is associated with a reduced
risk of 
Participants included 154 men and 84 women, with a mean age of 45.4 years. 
