Liver cirrhosis mortality in Argentina: its relationship to alcohol intake.

In Argentina, rates of liver cirrhosis mortality increased significantly in both sexes (men 81.3% and women 79.8%) between 1962 and 1970. A tendency towards a decrease in mortality rates for liver cirrhosis was observed in all groups, except for men aged 35-44 years, between 1970 and 1978, but the age-adjusted mortality rate persisted in 1978 at a level significantly higher than in 1962. The high mortality rate caused by liver cirrhosis may be the consequence of high alcohol intake in Argentina. In 1975, the average per capita consumption of alcoholic beverages, per year was 80 l of wine, 16.75 l of beer and 7.5 l of distilled liquors. These results indicate that important educational and legislative measures should be undertaken to try to correct life styles in an attempt to decrease the incidence of alcohol-related diseases and accidents in Argentina.