Sex differences in relation to serum hepatitis B e antigen and alanine aminotransferase levels among asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers.
This study aimed to investigate sex differences in relation to hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in chronic asymptomatic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. HBeAg and ALT level were determined in 636 asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers. There was no significant sex differences in the age-adjusted prevalence of HBeAg. Abnormal ALT level (>45 IU/l) was more frequent in carriers with HBeAg (17.5% vs 7.6%; P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that male sex (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.6) and HBeAg (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-4.3) were independent risk factors for abnormal ALT levels. Male sex and HBeAg-positivity are independent risk factors for abnormal ALT activity in chronic HBV infection. This observation may be related to sex differences in chronic HBV infection.
Tsai
J F
JF
Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
Chuang
L Y
LY
Jeng
J E
JE
Ho
M S
MS
Lin
Z Y
ZY
Hsieh
M Y
MY
Wang
L Y
LY
Tsai
J H
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D000410:Alanine Transaminase