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. 2014 May 1;14(5):e17537.
doi: 10.5812/hepatmon.17537. eCollection 2014 May.

Prognostic values of fluctuations in serum levels of alanine transaminase in inactive carrier state of HBV infection

Hossein Farzi  1 , Nasser Ebrahimi Daryani  1 , Leila Mehrnoush  2 , Shima Salimi  2 , Seyed Moayed Alavian  2
Affiliations

Prognostic values of fluctuations in serum levels of alanine transaminase in inactive carrier state of HBV infection

Hossein Farzi et al. Hepat Mon. .

Erratum in

  • Hepat Mon. 2014 May;14(5):e17537

Abstract

Background: Current guidelines introduce periodic monitoring of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) as the first-line modality in follow-up patients, with a hepatitis B virus (HBV) inactive carrier state.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the incidence rate and patterns of ALT fluctuations and prognostic values for the development of chronic HBV e antigen (HBeAg)-negative hepatitis B (CHB), HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance, and liver-related complications.

Patients and methods: Treatment-naïve patients with a chronic HBV infection, HBeAg(-)/HBeAb(+), normal ALT levels, and HBV DNA < 2000 IU/mL, were followed-up every 6-12 months by assessing serum ALT levels. Serum HBV DNA was measured in cases of elevated ALT levels.

Results: A total of 399 patients were followed-up for 8.9 years; ALT > upper limit of normal (ULN, i.e. 40 IU/L) was detected in 103 (25.8%) patients, with an annual incidence rate of 2.9%. ALT elevation was associated with; male gender, age, and higher serum ALT levels at study entry. Among the cases of ALT elevations, 16 (15.5%) patients had ALT levels > 2 × ULN. There were 38 (36.9%) patients who had ALT levels that remained > ULN over six months, and 21 (20.4%) patients experienced at least two episodes of ALT elevations. In 15 (14.6%) patients, elevated ALT levels were associated with increased HBV replication (i.e. HBV DNA > 2 000 IU/mL) and these were considered as CHB. However, elevation of ALT levels, even in the absence of HBV replication, increased the risk for the development of CHB up to 8-fold in prospective follow-ups. HBsAg seroclearance, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma were detected in 43 (10.8%), 4 (1%), and 1 (0.25%) patients, respectively.

Conclusions: Fluctuations in serum ALT levels may change the prognosis of a HBV inactive carrier state.

Keywords: Alanine Transaminase; Hepatitis B Virus; Hepatitis B e Antigen; Hepatitis B, Chronic.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Association Between Incidence of Serum ALT Elevations and ALT levels at Study Entry (IU/L)
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Association of Serum ALT Levels and Natural Logarithm of Serum HBV DNA in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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