Contributions to the epidemiology of liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis.

The real prevalence of liver cirrhosis within the total population is unknown. Our own statistic evaluations of the mortality from liver cirrhosis in relation to the death rate and investigations in fatal accidents may suppose a real prevalence of nearly 1% in the population of the GDR. Investigations of trends have shown a rising rate of incidence and mortality from liver cirrhosis in the GDR, mainly caused by alcoholic cirrhosis. There are positive correlations with the increasing alcohol consumption and negative ones with hepatitis incidence. Liver cirrhoses are accompanied by a high percentage of secondary diseases especially by gastroenterologic, cardiologic and metabolic disorders. The increase of alcoholic cirrhoses in the age group 20-40 years from 35% 1970 to 63% 1978 with the peak for men between 30-50 years will be of economic importance. Main topics for the epidemiologic research of liver cirrhosis have been discussed.