Clinical and liver biopsy pathological features in military patients with liver diseases: An analysis of 231 cases

Objective To explore epidemiological, serological and histopathological (by liver biopsy) features of liver diseases, and clinical manifestations in patients of the Chinese armed forces. Methods The clinical data of 231 cases of military patients with liver diseases in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed in terms of their age, gender, location of enlistment, services, official rank, clinical manifestation, and laboratory examination, and also pathological characteristics of liver biopsy. Results Among the 231 hospitalized military patients, 202 were male and 29 were female. The age at onset of the disease ranged from 18 to 73 years (mean age 29.7±9.1). Higher morbidity (48.1%) was found in the 18-25 year age bracket, while lower (only about 7.4%) in above 55-year-old age bracket. Virus infection accounted for 68.0% and non-virus infection accounted for 32.0%. About 64.9% of the patients suffered from chronic liver disease, while 35.1% from acute liver disease. In addition, the prevalence of liver disease was as high as 47.2% in the soldiers, slightly higher than that in the officers (about 38.1%). Transmission of the disease between comrades in arms accounted approximately for 14.0%. Conclusions The mean age of onset of liver disease in military personnel is younger, ranging from 18 to 25 years old predominantly, and the incidence is gradually decreased along with the age. The prevalence of liver disease may be higher in soldiers than in officers. There is a higher percentage of virus infection-associated liver ailment and chronic liver ailment. For acute liver ailment, pathological diagnosis by liver biopsy should be made, and timely therapeutic measures should be taken to prevent transformation of acute to chronic stage.