[Typical recurrent disease behavior of NANB hepatitis. A computer-assisted analysis]

1013 ALAT-attacks--in addition to the frequent asymptomatic onset of the disease and the high tendency of chronicity a typical symptom of the non-A, non-B hepatitis--were statistically analysed on 333 patients (of these 216 with uniform parenteral source of infection). 52% of the patients showed a multiphasic course. The aim of the analysis was the exact mathematical description of the attack-behaviour and the discovery of presumed regularities. The investigation of the periodicity of the attacks showed a maxima of spectral density corresponding to a 7-day-rhythm. The trend function of the ALAT-amplitudes in the time-course was assessed as an exponential function. Between mono- and multiphasic ALAT-courses no significant differences existed concerning the clinical picture (icteric--anicteric--subclinical), but as regards the late prognosis the multiphasic courses exhibited highly-significantly more transitions into chronic hepatitis. From the time-serial analysis of the attacks can be deduced for practical application that the reliable detection of non-A, non-B hepatitis cannot be guaranteed with weekly screenings. Screenings at 2-day-intervals which take into consideration the attack-behaviour and the ascertained time of incubation are recommended.