European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology
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Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol · Mar 2017
Serum alanine aminotransferase levels and all-cause mortality.
Studies have examined the relationship between serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and mortality with inconsistent results. Our aims were to examine the association of normal range serum ALT with mortality, to explore a nonlinear relationship between ALT and mortality, and to investigate whether age modifies this relationship. ⋯ Increase in serum ALT within the normal range is initially associated with lower mortality, but has no effect after 17 U/l. The elderly show a significantly larger decrease in mortality with an increase in ALT than younger individuals. The mechanisms underlying this relationship need further exploration.