[Moderate rise of transaminases in asymptomatic patients. An etiologic approach from the primary care viewpoint].
OBJECTIVE
To discover the frequency of presentation, the aetiological distribution and clinical importance of a moderate rise in transaminases, which were found by chance in patients free from hepatic symptomology who were attending primary care clinics.


METHODS
Descriptive study of a crossover type.


METHODS
La Victoria Health Centre in Valladolid.


METHODS
The patients attended at any of the six general medical clinics between january and june 1993, in whom a moderate rise in transaminases was detected by chance and confirmed after a one-month interval.


RESULTS
Hepatic function tests were performed on 1,285 patients, in 212 of whom biochemical function was found to be disturbed. 137 of these 212 were studied in line with a diagnostic procedure worked out in collaboration with the Area specialist, after 75 had been eliminated for various reasons. The following aetiological distribution was observed: Viral 37.2% (Anti VHC + 30.7%, Ag HBs + 6.5%), ethylic 35.03%, metabolic 15.32% and medicinal 8.77%. Hemochromatosis was diagnosed in 2 patients; and a possible aetiology could not be established in 3. It was possible to perform a biopsy on 11 patients, with the suspected aetiology being confirmed in all of them.


CONCLUSIONS
The likelihood of the primary care doctor correctly diagnosing hepatic illnesses is high, given that we could establish an aetiology in 97% of cases. The most common aetiologies were viral and ethylic.
Gutiérrez Casares
M
M
Centro de Salud La Victoria, Hospital Río Hortega, Valladolid.
López Municio
F
F
Cobos Alonso
Y
Y
Aragón García
R
R
Rodríguez San Pedro
R
R
González Hernández
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005235:Fatty Liver, Alcoholic / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000175:diagnosis; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood*
D000637:Transaminases
Elevación moderada de transaminasas en pacientes asintomáticos. Una aproximación etiológica desde la atención primaria.