Citation

Ramaty E, Maor E, Peltz-Sinvani N, Brom A, Grinfeld A, Kivity S, Segev S, Sidi Y, Kessler T, Sela BA, Segal G. Eur. J. Intern. Med. 2014; 25(10): 919-921.

Affiliation

Department of Internal Medicine "T", Chaim Sheba Medical Center,(2) Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ejim.2014.10.019

PMID

25468741

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Increased blood levels of alanine amino transferase (ALT, also known as SGPT; serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) serve as a marker of liver injury by various mechanisms. Less is known about the clinical implications associated with low-normal ALT levels. Previous studies showed low ALT levels to be associated with poor long-term outcomes among elderlies, serving as a biomarker for increased incidence of frailty and subsequent risk of mortality. However, it has not been determined yet whether low-normal ALT values might be predictive of frailty and mortality in younger, middle-aged adults.

METHODS: We conducted a historical prospective cohort analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 23,506 adults with ALT levels within the normal range, at the mean age of 48±11years, participating in an annual screening program for preventive medicine, were followed-up for a median period of 8.5years during which 638 died. Low-normal ALT values (serum ALT activity <17IU/L) were found to be predictive for increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR=1.6; 95% CI 1.34-1.92; p<0.001). Statistically significant correlation was demonstrated even after applying a multifactorial model correction for age, gender, eGFR, low albumin, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease.

CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that low-normal ALT values may serve as an independent predictive marker for increased long-term mortality in middle-aged adults.

Language: en