Prevalence of alcoholic liver disease among Korean adults: results from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009.

Background/aim: Alcohol consumption continues to be a common cause of acute and chronic liver disease.

Methods: Data from a representative sample of 7,893 adults in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009 were analyzed. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) was defined through heavy alcohol consumption (≥40 g/day for men or ≥20 g/day for women) and through elevated liver tests.

Results: Approximately 6.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.0-7.4) was at heavy alcohol consumption. Of these "heavy alcohol consumers", one quarter also had ALD. The prevalence of ALD was 1.7% (95% CI, 1.3-2.1).

Conclusion: ALD is still a burden in the Korean population.