Abnormal Liver Enzymes in Coal Tar Refinery Workers of Isfahan

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 Associate Professor of Medicine Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Alzahra University Hospital Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

2 Resident, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine And Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

3 Associate Professor, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

4 General Practitioner, Occupational Medicine Unit, Isfahan Steel Company, Isfahan, Iran.

5 Associate Professor, Department of Radiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

6 Research Assistant, Poursina Hakim Research Institute, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

Background: The effects of occupational exposure on liver function in oil refinery workers are not well known. In this study we evaluated the liver enzyme abnormalities among coal tar refinery workers.Methods: The oil refinery workers in central part of Iran (Isfahan city) underwent routine annual medical examination from 2006 to 2007. A total of 66 cases with abnormal levels of aminotransferases were included in this cross-sectional study. Liver diseases including viral, metabolic and autoimmune hepatitis were excluded by detailed investigations. The relationships of different findings and liver enzymes were evaluated through inferential statistics.Finding: All patients were male with the mean age of 36.7 ± 4.8 years. Thirty eight subjects had dyslipidemia (61.3%). There were significant correlations between triglyceride or cholesterol concentrations and aminotransferases levels. From 40 cases, 35 cases (87.5%) demonstrated ultrasonographic fatty livers. Also, significant correlations were found between cholesterol and Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels. There were not significant differences in levels of aminotransferases among different type of work (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Direct occupational exposure to oil refinery products may play an important role in liver enzyme abnormalities. Exposure to coal tar components such as phenols, poly aromatic hydrocarbons chemicals may be a risk factor for NASH (Non-alcoholic Steato-hepatitis). Liver biopsy and long term follow-up can be helpful for definite diagnosis and determination of prognosis.    

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 29, Issue 139 - Serial Number 139
March and April 2011
Pages 606-514

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History

  • Receive Date: 08 February 2011
  • Revise Date:
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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