Combinative analysis of factors influence serum alanine aminotransferase activity in adult male population from southern China.

OBJECTIVES

Abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity is indicative of liver disease even a burden of overall health. We assessed the factors associated with ALT activity and their internal relationships in a male population from southern China.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Data of physical examinations, laboratory tests, hepatic ultrasounds and standardized questionnaire were collected from 2119 males participating in a population-based survey from September 2009 to December 2009.

RESULTS

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) were associated with the elevation of ALT levels (P<0.05). Prevalence of NAFLD was correlated to MetS (r=0.991, P=0.009). The levels of abnormal metabolic syndrome components increased in proportion with the ALT elevation (P<0.01). Obesity and hyperlipidemia were associated with the ALT levels in multivariate regression analysis (P<0.01). There was no synergic effect of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and MetS on the ALT levels (synergy index [SI]=0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71-0.80).

CONCLUSION

NAFLD and MetS were associated with ALT levels in a male population from southern China. Obesity and hyperlipidemia were independent MetS components contributing to elevated ALT (e-ALT). This finding might suggest necessity on justification of these confounding factors when detecting ALT levels among this population.