Ascitic cirrhosis in relation to alcohol consumption.

The average daily alcohol consumption of 184 male patients with ascitic cirrhosis and a random population sample of 778 males was ascertained by interview. Relative risks of ascitic cirrhosis are calculated for different levels of daily alcohol consumption: the logarithm of risk is shown to be a linear function of consumption. The proportion of cases attributable to alcohol is calculated and shown to be over 90%. The potential saving of ascitic cirrhosis if individual consumption of alcohol does not exceed 40g. per day is estimated at 80%.