Review article: management of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection and "normal" alanine aminotransferase activity.
Aliment Pharmacol Ther
; 24(8): 1133-49, 2006 Oct 15.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-17014573
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Hepatitis C virus infection, a major cause of chronic liver disease, occurs with normal serum alanine aminotransferase activity in approximately 25% of patients. These patients have historically remained untreated but substantial evidence indicates liver damage, progression of disease and impaired quality of life in some individuals.AIM:
To review the current management of patients with chronic hepatitis C and normal alanine aminotransferase activity.METHODS:
This review represents the summary of discussions at a Clinical Workshop with a comprehensive literature searching of available databases (PubMed and Embase).RESULTS:
Current limits defining normal serum alanine aminotransferase activity are not representative of a "healthy" status. Most patients with hepatitis C and normal alanine aminotransferase levels have histologically proven liver damage that, although generally mild, may be significant (> or =F2) in up to 20% of patients and progresses at approximately 50% of the rate in patients with elevated alanine aminotransferase levels. Some patients have persistently normal alanine aminotransferase activity and may have a more benign outcome, but a significant proportion (> or =20%) experience periods of increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity which may be associated with enhanced disease progression.CONCLUSIONS:
A treatment approach that considers host and virus-related variables and optimizes patient and cost benefits may therefore provide more effective management of patients with chronic hepatitis C and normal alanine aminotransferase activity.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Hepatite C Crônica
/
Alanina Transaminase
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Aliment Pharmacol Ther
Assunto da revista:
FARMACOLOGIA
/
GASTROENTEROLOGIA
/
TERAPIA POR MEDICAMENTOS
Ano de publicação:
2006
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Alemanha