Epidemiological Study of Elevated Serum Alanine Aminotransferase(ALT) Levels in Occupational Staff

Background and Aim

Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level is a kind of  marker for hepatocyte injury. In this study we explore any gender-related differences in prevalence of and condition-associated factors related to an elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level in oppucation staffs. 

Method

From January 2009 through December 2009, we recruited9177 participants to the Central Clinic and Hospital for an annual physical check-up. After excluding 826 subjects due to missing data, 8351subjects (5247 males and 3104 females) were included in the final analysis.

Result

The overall mean of serum ALT level for the test population proved to be 28.00±30.16 U/L, males revealing a greater serum ALT level than was the case for females (respectively, 33.34±34.24 U/L v.s 18.96±18.31 U/L). In total test population the prevalence of elevated serum ALT level in all associated factors are statistically significantly except BUN (p=0.093). And we found that the prevalence of elevated ALT increase with age in females but not in males or total test population. Males was more prevalent than females (23.9% v.s 5.7%). Using multiple logistic regression analysis BMI, high GOT and high glutamic acid transaminse were the significant factors associated with an elevated serum ALT level for both males and females. For males, age, hyperuricemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, high fasting plasma glucose and high creatinine were significantly related to an elevated serum ALT level but this was not so for females. High BUN was significantly related to an elevated serum ALT level with females but this was not for males.

Conclusion

Our report shows that hypertension, hyperuricemia, hypercholesterolemia, higher fasting plasma glucose, higher GOT, higher ALP, higher glutamic acid transaminase and hypertriglyceridemia were association with elevated serum ALT. And we also found that elevated serum ALT has association with age and BMI level in this study.