title: [Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase in Chilean population: analysis of results of the national health survey 2009-2010].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Determination of Alanine aminotransferase serum levels ([ALT]s) is a sensitive ana reliable test for liver diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report the prevalence of abnormal [ALT]s in Chilean population and to identify associated variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed data from a random sub-sample of 2,794 adults surveyed during the second Chilean National Health Survey. Abnormal [ALT]s were defined by using three different cut-off values (COV), two fixed COV (COV1: > 30 IU/L in men and > 19 IU/L in women and COV2 pre-defined by the performing laboratory) and a COV adjusted by age, weight and sex (COV3 > 31 IU/L for women and > 44 IU/L and men > 42 IU/L and > 66 IU/L with a BMI > 23). Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine risk factors for elevated [ALT]s.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean [ALT]s values were 30.14 I U/L in men and 22.03 IU/L in women. The observed prevalence of abnormal [ALT]s defined by different COV were 38%, 11.5%, and 8.1% for COV1, COV2 and COV3 respectively. Variables independently associated to abnormal [ALT]s in a multivariate analysis were the following: serum gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (OR: 1.055 [95% CI 1.033-1.078]) and body mass index (OR:1.13 [95% CI 1.09-1.17]). Variables inversely associated with abnormal [ALT]s (COV1) were mole gender (OR-.0.976 [95% CI 0.96-0.99) and HDL-cholesterol (OR:0979 [95% CI 0.96-0.99]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Independently of the COV used, Chilean population exhibits a high prevalence of abnormal [ALT]s which may reflect a significant burden of liver disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease could be a major contributor to elevated [ALT]s considering the association of abnormal [ALT]s and metabolic variables.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile, marrese@med.puc.cl.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tejos
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Salud Pública, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Oslando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Padilla
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile, marrese@med.puc.cl.
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pizarro
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile, marrese@med.puc.cl.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Solís
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile, marrese@med.puc.cl.
authors.forename: Juan Pablo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Arab
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Salud Pública, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Margozzini
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile, marrese@med.puc.cl.
authors.forename: Juan Francisco
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Miquel
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile, marrese@med.puc.cl.
authors.forename: Arnoldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riquelme
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile, marrese@med.puc.cl.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arrese
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002677:Chile; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000410:Alanine Transaminase