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. 2007 Dec;47(6):760-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2007.07.022. Epub 2007 Sep 24.

The clinical significance of persistently normal ALT in chronic hepatitis B infection

Michelle Lai  1 , Benjamin J Hyatt, Imad Nasser, Michael Curry, Nezam H Afdhal
Affiliations

The clinical significance of persistently normal ALT in chronic hepatitis B infection

Michelle Lai et al. J Hepatol. 2007 Dec.

Abstract

Background/aims: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) disease is caused by both necroinflammation and active viral replication. The role of ALT levels as a predictor of liver injury has recently been questioned. The aim of the study was to determine whether normal ALT is associated with liver injury in a cohort of HBV patients undergoing liver biopsy.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of chronic HBV patients divided into 3 groups; (1) persistently normal ALT (PNALT); (2) ALT 1-1.5X ULN and (3) ALT>1.5X ULN. Multiple clinical, biochemical, virological variables were evaluated.

Results: One hundred and ninety-two patients met the inclusion criteria, 59 with PNALT, 26 with ALT 1-1.5X ULN, and 107 with ALT>1.5X ULN. Increasing age, higher ALT, higher grade of inflammation on biopsy, and HBeAg positivity predicted fibrosis. 18% of patients with PNALT had stage 2+ fibrosis and 34% had grade 2 or 3 inflammation. Overall 37% of patients with PNALT had significant fibrosis or inflammation. Subgroup analysis showed the majority with fibrosis belonged to the high normal ALT group and that only a minority who were young and immune tolerant had significant findings on biopsy.

Conclusions: There is significant fibrosis and inflammation in 37% of patients with PNALT and a liver biopsy should be considered in patients older than 40 with high normal ALT.

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