• Asma Shabbir, Zaigham Abbas, Ambrina Khatoon, and Talat Mirza.
• Department of Pathology, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan.
• J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2024 Jan 1; 34 (1): 222622-26.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of alanine transaminase (ALT) with transient elastography grades to define various nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) groups for disease status.Study DesignCross-sectional, descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic, Ziauddin Hospital, from January to December 2022.MethodologyThis study included 194 NAFLD patients. Demographic data, body mass index, enzymes, and transient elastography (TE) findings were recorded. NAFLD patients were categorised as nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), steatofibrosis (significant fibrosis F2-F3 with normal ALT), and cirrhosis using TE grades.ResultsThe median age of the patients was 44 [IQR 18.25] years; 146 (75.3%) were males. Out of 194 NAFLD patients, 21 (10.8%) were NAFL, 116 (59.8%) were NASH, 14 (7.2%) showed steatofibrosis, and 43 (22.2%) were cirrhotic. On transient elastography, the majority were with S3 steatosis (n=107, 55.2%) and 59 (30.2%) had F0-F1 fibrosis. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean rank of age, ALT, AST, and GGT levels within 4 groups of NAFLD (p <0.001). Most of the patients with all the stages of fibrosis had increased ALT levels (p=0.034).ConclusionThis study concluded that a combination of ALT levels and transient elastography findings could be considered for differentiating uncomplicated steatosis from NASH, steatofibrosis, and cirrhosis, hence limiting the use of liver biopsy. This may prove a reliable way to measure the severity of the disease.Key WordsNonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Cirrhosis, Transient elastography.

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