Review article: management of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection and ‘normal’ alanine aminotransferase activity
Open Access
- 20 September 2006
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Wiley in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
- Vol. 24 (8), 1133-1149
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.03073.x
Abstract
Summary 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 (≥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 (≥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.This publication has 131 references indexed in Scilit:
- Peginterferon ??-2a (40KD) Plus RibavirinDrugs, 2005
- 499 The impact of sustained virological response (SVR) on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and persistently normal ALT levels (PNALT) treated with peginterferon alfa-2A (PEGASYS®) and ribavirin (COPEGUS®)Journal of Hepatology, 2004
- Viral kinetics during antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C and persistently normal ALT levelsHepatology, 2004
- Peginterferon ??-2a (40kD) [Pegasys??] Improves HR-QOL Outcomes Compared with Unmodified Interferon ??-2a [Roferon??-A]PharmacoEconomics, 2003
- Hepatocellular proliferation in patients with chronic hepatitis C and persistently normal or abnormal aminotransferase levelsJournal of Hepatology, 2000
- Lamivudine resistance inimmunocompetent chronic hepatitis BJournal of Hepatology, 1997
- Circulating HCV‐RNA, HCV genotype, and liver histology in asymptomatic individuals reactive for anti‐HCV antibody and their follow‐up studyLiver International, 1996
- Frequent codeletion of p16/MTS1 and p15/MTS2 and genetic alterations in p16/MTS1 in pancreatic tumorsGastroenterology, 1996
- Chronic hepatitis C in patients with normal or near normal alanine aminotransferase levels: the role of interferon α2b therapyJournal of Hepatology, 1995
- Serum alanine aminotransferase measurement as a guide to selective testing for hepatitis C during medical checkupJournal of Hepatology, 1994