Transient elastographic evaluation in adult subjects without overt liver disease: Influence of alanine aminotransferase levels

• Published in: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology 2011-08, Vol.26 (8), p.1318-1325
• Main Authors: Kumar, Manoj, Sharma, Praveen, Garg, Hitendra, Kumar, Ramesh, Bhatia, Vikram, Sarin, Shiv K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; alanine aminotransferase; Alanine Transaminase - blood; Analysis of Variance; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - blood; Body Mass Index; Chi-Square Distribution; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Elasticity Imaging Techniques; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; healthy subjects; Humans; India; Linear Models; Liver - anatomy & histology; Liver - enzymology; liver fibrosis; liver stiffness; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; metabolic syndrome; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Other diseases. Semiology; Other metabolic disorders; Reference Values; transient elastography
• ISSN: 0815-9319; 1440-1746
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2011.06736.x

Background and Aim:  Studies on normal values of liver stiffness (LS) in subjects at “low risk” for liver disease are scant. The aim of the present study was to assess liver stiffness values in the subjects without overt liver disease with normal alanine aminotransferases (ALT) and to determine potential factors, which may influence these values with special reference to newly suggested updated upper limits of normal for ALT. Methods:  Liver stiffness measurements were performed in 445 subjects without overt liver disease (mean age, 41.1 ± 13.6; male, 73.5%) and normal liver enzymes. Results:  Mean LS value was 5.10 ± 1.19 kPa. LS values were higher in men than in women (5.18 ± 1.67 vs 4.86 ± 1.24 kPa, respectively, P = 0.008); in subjects with higher body mass index (BMI) category (Normal, overweight and obese subjects; 4.10 ± 0.75, 5.08 ± 0.66, and 6.05 ± 1.28 kPa, respectively; P