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Updated: Aug 31, 2025
Novel In Vivo Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging Techniques for Assessing the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Published on: March 24, 2023
Serial liver transaminases have no prognostic value in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Julia Uhanova1, Gerald Minuk1, Kamila Premji2
1Section of Hepatology, John Buhler Research Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Background:
Routine measurement of liver transaminases is common in the general monitoring of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but there is little data to support the utility of this practice. The aims of this study were to determine how alanine aminotransferase (ALT) results vary over time in patients with NAFLD; and to determine if serial measurement of ALT is a useful clinical marker for progression of NAFLD.
Methods:
Consecutive adult patients with NAFLD were followed prospectively in a tertiary liver disease clinic over a 15-year period. Clinicodemographic characteristics and the change in liver enzymes, liver function, and histopathology were followed over time. Paired t test, chi-square test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and logistic regression were performed to assess the relationship between ALT and severity of NAFLD, or development of cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Results/Conclusion:
A change in liver transaminases over time is not a useful metric in predicting outcomes in patients with NAFLD. Additionally, all stages of NAFLD are equally responsive to standard medical interventions of advocating for weight loss and correcting metabolic disturbances.
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