Incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis C carriers with normal alanine aminotransferase levels.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to identify the independent risk factors involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who have normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.


METHODS
A total of 519 patients with average ALT integration values less than or equal to 40 IU/L over 10 years were included. Baseline ultrasound was done in all patients and 68 patients underwent liver biopsy at the start of this study. Factors associated with the cumulative incidence of HCC were determined.


RESULTS
HCC occurred in 48 of 519 patients (9.2%). The following factors were significantly associated with the incidence of HCC: age>65 years (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.006 [95% confidence interval: 1.078-3.733]), ALT>20 IU/L (6.242 [1.499-25.987]), platelet count<15.0x10(4)/m(3) (2.675 [1.407-5.085]), total bilirubin>1.2mg/dL (2.798 [1.257-6.228]), ALP>338 IU/L (2.486 [1.327-4.657]), and total albumin<3.5g/dl (2.707 [1.177-6.223]). The 5- and 10-year cumulative incidences of HCC were 4.4% and 26.5% in patients with ALT>20 IU/L and platelet count<15.0x10(4)/m(3), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
High ALT level and low platelet count are closely associated with the development of hepatocarcinogenesis. Therefore, individuals within this group are candidates for antiviral therapy.
Kumada
Takashi
T
Department of Gastroenterology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, 4-86, Minaminokawa-cho, Ogaki, Gifu 503-8052, Japan. hosp3@omh.ogaki.gifu.jp
Toyoda
Hidenori
H
Kiriyama
Seiki
S
Sone
Yasuhiro
Y
Tanikawa
Makoto
M
Hisanaga
Yasuhiro
Y
Kanamori
Akira
A
Atsumi
Hiroyuki
H
Takagi
Makiko
M
Nakano
Satoshi
S
Arakawa
Takahiro
T
Fujimori
Masashi
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D002353:Carrier State; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D001663:Bilirubin