Recorded presentation

Sandra P. Matus, Monique B. Williams, PhD, and Hsiao-ye Yi, PhD. Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System, CSR, Incorporated, 2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1000, Arlington, VA 22201, 703-312-5220, spmatus@hotmail.com

In 2001, liver cirrhosis was the seventh leading cause of death in Hispanic males, while in the total male population it ranked 10th. This study explores drinking behaviors and socioeconomic factors associated with the racial/ethnic differential in liver cirrhosis mortality. Male Hispanic, non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black decedents ages 25 and older (N=9,099) were selected from the 1993 National Mortality Followback Survey. Logistic regression was used to predict the odds of dying from cirrhosis versus all other causes. Preliminary analysis showed that cirrhosis caused 4.2% of deaths in Hispanic males, compared with 1.5% in non-Hispanic White males. The age-adjusted risk of dying from cirrhosis was 59 percent higher for Hispanic males than for non-Hispanic White males (OR=1.59, p=0.0334). After adding drinking level in the last year of life and education variables to the model, the odds ratio of cirrhosis death for Hispanic males was reduced to 1.26 (p=0.0910). Other drinking and socioeconomic variables were tested but did not further reduce the odds ratio for Hispanic males. These results demonstrated that drinking level in the last year of life and education explain part of the cirrhosis mortality differential between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White males. Further studies are needed to explore other factors, such as Hepatitis C, that may also contribute to the excess risk for cirrhosis death among Hispanic males.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to able to recognize the liver cirrhosis mortality differential between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White males and identify factors that contribute to the differential.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation