AIM:To examine the association of daily alcohol intake,types of alcoholic beverage consumed,drinking patternsand obesity with alcoholic liver disease in China.METHODS:By random cluster sampling and a 3-yearfollow-up study,1270 alcohol drinkers were recruited fromdifferent occupations in the urban and suburban areas ofXi’an City.They were examined by specialists and inquiredfor information on:Medical history and family medicalhistory,alcohol intake,types of alcoholic beverageconsumed,drinking patterns by detailed dietaryquestionnaires.Routine blood tests and ultrasonographywere done.RESULTS:Multivariate analysis showed that:(1) The riskthreshold for developing alcoholic liver disease wasingestion of more than 20 g alcohol per day,keeping ondrinking for over 5 years in men.The highest OR was atthe daily alcohol consumption≥160g,the occurrencerate of ALD amounted to 18.7% (P<0.01).No ALDoccurred when ingestion of alcohol was less than 20gper day.(2) 87.9% of all drank only at mealtimes.Thecumulative risk of developing ALD was significantly higherin those individuals who regularly drank alcohol withoutfood than in those who drank only at mealtimes,especiallyfor those who regularly drank hard liquors only andmultiple drinks (P<0.05).(3) The alcohol consumption inthose with BMI≥25 was lower than in those with BMI<25,but the risk increased to 11.5%,significantly higherthan that of general population,6.5% (P<0.01).(4)Abstinence and weight reduction could benefit the liverfunction recovery.CONCLUSION:In the Chinese population the ethanol riskthreshold for developing ALD is 20 g per day,and this riskincreases with increased daily intake.Drinking 20g ofethanol per day and for less than 5 years are safe fromALD.Drinking alcohol outside mealtimes and drinking hardliquors only and multiple different alcohol beverages bothincrease the risk of developing ALD.Obesity also increasesthe risk.Abstinence and weight reduction will directly affectthe prognosis of ALD.Doctor’s strong advice might influencethe prognosis indirectly. AIM: To examine the association of daily alcohol intake, types of alcoholic beverage consumed, drinking patterns and obesity with alcoholic liver disease in China. METHODS: By random cluster sampling and a 3-year follow-up study, 1270 alcohol drinkers were recruited from different occupations in the urban and suburban areas of Xi’an City. They were examined by specialists and inquiredfor information on: Medical history and family medical history, alcohol intake, types of alcoholic beverage con-sumed, drinking patterns by detailed dietaryquestionires. Routine blood tests and ultrasonographywere done .RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that: (1) The riskthreshold for developing alcoholic liver disease was ingestion of more than 20 g alcohol per day, keeping on drinking for over 5 years in men. highest OR was atthe daily alcohol consumption ≥ 160g, the occurrencerate of ALDered to 18.7% (P <0.01) .No ALDoccurred when ingestion of alcohol was less than 20 gper day. (2) 87.9% of all drank only at mealtimes. Thecumulative risk of developing ALD was significantly higher than those of individuals who regularly drank alcohol without food than in those who drank only at mealtimes, especially for those who regularly drank hard liquors only andmultiple drinks (P <0.05). (3) The alcohol consumption in blood with in BMI ≧ 25 was lower than those with BMI <25, but the risk increased to 11.5%, significantly higherthan that of general population, 6.5% (P <0.01). (4) Abstinence and weight reduction could benefit the liver function recovery. the Chinese population the ethanol riskthreshold for developing ALD is 20 g per day, and this risk increase creations with increased daily intake. Drink 20 g of ethanol per day and for less than 5 years are safe from ALD. Drink alcohol outside mealtimes and drinking hard liquors only and multiple different alcohol beverages bothincrease the risk of developing ALD. Obesity also increasesthe risk. Abstinence and weight reduction will directly affect the prognosis of ALD. Doctors’ strong a dvice may influence the prognosis indirectly.