[Serum cholinesterase activity (CHE) in different classes of chronic liver diseases (author's transl)].

ChE activity was studied in a series of 193 patients of different classes of chronic hepatitis. CAH and much more cirrhosis showed a mean value significantly lower than normal controls. In CAH, no difference was found between HBsAg positive and HBsAg negative cases. Alcoholic cirrhotics had serum cholinesterase levels more lowered than non alcoholic patients. Finally, the follow-up of serum cholinesterase levels could be useful in assessing the prognosis of cirrhotic patients.