Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
1986-4-4
pubmed:abstractText
The accidental finding of raised levels of serum aminotransferase levels may lead to extensive investigations of the liver in apparently healthy people. To identify diagnostic groups and their need for investigations, we have evaluated the results of all investigative procedures carried out in 149 asymptomatic patients with persistently raised serum levels of aminotransferases. Fatty liver was found in 64%. These patients often had a high body weight. A high alcohol intake and diabetes mellitus were also noted. Chronic active or persistent hepatitis was found in 20% of the patients. Six per cent had cirrhosis, 4% had alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, and 3.5% had hemochromatosis. Apart from ferritin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and markers for hepatitis B, blood tests were of little value for distinguishing among different diagnostic groups. This was the case also for the imaging procedures, and neither liver scintigraphy nor ultrasonography was a reliable source of diagnostic information. The results of our study indicate that diagnosis in this group of patients cannot be made without liver biopsy.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jan
pubmed:issn
0036-5521
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
21
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
109-13
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1986
pubmed:articleTitle
Liver investigation in 149 asymptomatic patients with moderately elevated activities of serum aminotransferases.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article