SERUM ALT

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF BORDERLINE HIGH LEVELS

Abstract

Aim: To assess the cases of borderline high serum ALT. Objectives: To find
out underlying pathology causing borderline high serum ALT cases using noninvasive methods, and to evaluate their
significance. Method and Material: A total of 30 patients fulfilling the selection criteria were included at convenience.
Study design: This was an observational study. Setting and Period: This study was conducted in PMA hospital Kakul
during 2004. Results: The results of the study showed that fatty liver was present in 36.6% of the cases. Hepatitis C
infection was detected in 13.4%, while in most of the patients (50%) no specific cause could be detected. Conclusions:
On the basis of these observations it was concluded that in patients detected to have borderline high serum ALT on
routine evaluation the chances of diagnosing steatohepatitis were more than chronic hepatitis and that the possibility
of serious underlying liver disease was uncommon.