INFLUENCE OF GENDER, BMI, AND ETHNICITY ON SERUM ALT LEVELS OF HEALTHY STUDENTS OF A MEDICAL SCHOOL
Abstract
Background: Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme found in Liver and indicates injuryto Hepatocytes. It is influenced by various factors. The objectives of this study were to identify thecorrelates of ALT activity among healthy medical students of Army Medical College, NationalUniversity of Sciences and Technology, aged 18–22 years. This was to establish the mean ALTlevels of the students and compare them with those in various parts of the world and observevarious correlations that exist and factors that may influence ALT levels. Methods: Thispopulation included 143 volunteer students (93 men and 50 women) selected on the basis ofnegative answers to a detailed medical questionnaire including past medical history, drug andalcohol consumption, on the absence of clinical signs of liver disease, on the negativity ofserological testing for Hepatitis B and C virus. Results: The mean ALT level of the entirepopulation was 28.7 IU/L. A major sex-difference in ALT value was observed, the mean ALTvalue being higher in men than in women (32.1±21.7 vs. 22.6±9.7 IU/L, p<0.004). According toWHO criteria for Asians, normal BMI was taken from 18.5–23.0 Kg/m2. There was a positivesignificant correlation between serum ALT level and BMI (p<0.002). ALT level stronglycorrelates with body mass index and gender. There was no significant variation in ALT levelsamong Punjabis and Sindhis, Balochis, Pathans, and Kashmiris. Conclusion: We suggest the needof taking into account these parameters in a clinical interpretation of ALT level.Keywords: ALT, Body Mass Index, BMIReferences
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