Unexplained Elevations in Alanine Aminotransferase in Individuals with the Metabolic Syndrome: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES III)

doi:10.1097/00000441-200503000-00001

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences

Volume 329, Issue 3, March 2005, Pages 111-116

https://doi.org/10.1097/00000441-200503000-00001 Get rights and content

ABSTRACT

Background

Unexplained elevations in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level have been suggested to signify the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adult NHANES III participants. In this study, we examined the relationship between unexplained elevations in ALT level and the metabolic syndrome and the relationship between unexplained elevations in ALT level and microalbuminuria.

Methods

We examined the prevalence and predictors of unexplained elevations in ALT level in 4376 adult NHANES III participants with the metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, and the presence of unexplained elevations in ALT level was defined based on the previously published criteria. Prevalence of microalbuminuria was compared between 710 individuals with unexplained elevations in ALT level and 1780 control subjects.

Results

Prevalence of unexplained elevations in ALT level in individuals with the metabolic syndrome was 7% and was significantly higher than in those without the metabolic syndrome (3.5%; OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.782.41). Younger age, male gender, higher triglycerides or serum iron levels, low levels of certain antioxidants, and insulin resistance (or diabetes) were independently associated with unexplained elevations in ALT level in the metabolic syndrome. Prevalence of microalbuminuria was not different between individuals with unexplained elevations in ALT level and their control subjects (4.8% respectively; P = 0.2).

Conclusions

Individuals with the metabolic syndrome have a significantly higher prevalence of unexplained elevations in ALT level. Because unexplained elevations in ALT level may signify the presence of NAFLD, our data support the notion that NAFLD is part of the spectrum of the metabolic syndrome. However, no relationship was demonstrated between unexplained elevations in ALT level and microalbuminuria.

Section snippets

Methods

The NHANES III was conducted in the United States from 1988 through 1994 by the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The NHANES III used complex, multistage, stratified, clustered samples of civilian, noninstitutionalized populations 2 months of age and older to collect information about the health and diet of people in the United States. A detailed description of the survey and its sampling procedures are available on its website.¹⁶ This

Results

Our study cohort consisted of 16,865 participants, and their demographic and clinical characteristics are shown in Table 1. The prevalence of unexplained elevations in ALT level in this cohort was 4.5%, and the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 26%. These rates are in agreement with the previously reported estimates of unexplained elevations in ALT level and the metabolic syndrome in NHANES III 8., 9., 24., 25., 26.

Discussion

In this study, we systematically examined the relationship between the metabolic syndrome and unexplained elevations in ALT level. Subjects with the metabolic syndrome had a significantly higher prevalence of unexplained elevations in ALT than those without the metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in individuals with unexplained elevations in ALT level was significantly higher than the matched control subjects, with a relative risk of 1.79 (95% CI, 1.49-2.14).

In this

Conclusion

In this study, we have shown a strong relationship between unexplained elevations in ALT level and the metabolic syndrome. However, this association may not be as significant as the association between the metabolic syndrome and its five individual components. Because unexplained elevations in ALT may signify the presence of NAFLD in adult NHANES III participants, our results further define the relationship between NAFLD and the metabolic syndrome.

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Individual and combined relationship of serum uric acid and alanine aminotransferase on metabolic syndrome in adults in Qingdao, China
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Associations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and serum uric acid (SUA) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) remain controversial. We aimed to explore individual and combined effects of ALT and SUA on MetS in community residents.
A population-based cross-sectional survey involving randomly selected Chinese adults aged 35–74 years was conducted in 2009 in Qingdao, China, and 4642 participants were included in the current study. Based on a combination of SUA and ALT levels in the tertile, subjects were grouped into Group 1-9. The individual and combined relations of SUA and ALT to MetS were analyzed by logistic regression models. The prevalence of MetS was 28.50% in males and 22.30% in females. ALT and SUA were independently associated with MetS and ORs (95% CIs) were 1.55 (1.42–1.70) and 1.92 (1.72–2.14), respectively, after adjusting for potential confounders. With the elevation of ALT and SUA levels, the risk of developing MetS increased. Compared to Group 1, ORs (95% CIs) of combined ALT and SUA for MetS were 2.21 (1.70–2.88), 4.02 (3.10–5.21), 2.19 (1.62–2.97), 2.53 (1.91–3.34), 4.69 (3.60–6.12), 1.76 (1.17–2.64), 3.65 (2.63–5.06) and 7.15 (5.41–9.46) in Group 2–9, respectively.
ALT and SUA were both related to MetS independently. Combined elevation of ALT and SUA levels could increase the risk of MetS and its components than an elevation in SUA and ALT alone. Therefore, measures should be taken to lower SUA and ALT levels to reduce the risk of having MetS.
Prevalence and predictors of elevated liver enzyme levels in Mexico: The Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey, 2016
2021, Annals of Hepatology
To determine the prevalence of elevated liver enzyme levels and the fatty liver index according to specific sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric, and metabolic risk factors in Mexican adult population.
The present analysis was conducted using data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2016. For the present study, 3,490 adults with complete information on liver enzymes, sociodemographic, lifestyle, and metabolic factors were analyzed. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were determined from blood samples. We computed the fatty liver Index (FLI), as a surrogate marker of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The associations are reported as adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).
At the national level, the prevalence of high serum levels of ALT, AST, and GGT were 7.9%, 13.5, and 12.9 respectively. We observed that men had higher prevalences of altered ALT, GGT and FLI compared to women. Additionally, we observe that individuals with obesity, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance are significantly more likely to present elevated concentrations of AST, ALT, GGT and FLI. Finally, we found that the subjects of the lowest socioeconomic level and indigenous population were more likely to present elevated levels of AST, ALT, GGT, and FLI.
In Mexico, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affect people with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome as well as men, subjects of low socioeconomic status, subjects who live in rural areas and indigenous population. Interventions to reduce this condition should be a public health priority.
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El hígado graso no alcohólico es una enfermedad hepática crónica caracterizada por el depósito de grasa en los hepatocitos. En su evolución puede generar inflamación, denominada esteatohepatitis no alcohólica (EHNA), y fibrosis. La EHNA se ha asociado con el síndrome metabólico (SM) y con otros factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Nuestro objetivo ha sido analizar las características epidemiológicas de la EHNA en una población hipertensa, con alta prevalencia de SM, y valorar cuáles son los posibles factores que se asocian con la EHNA.
Se han utilizado los datos de 3.473 pacientes de la Unidad de Hipertensión del Hospital Universitario de Móstoles en un estudio retrospectivo, observacional y transversal. La EHNA se definió como la presencia de esteatosis hepática determinada mediante ecografía abdominal, junto con el aumento de alanina aminotransferasa y/o aspartato aminotransferasa mayor o igual a 1,5 veces el valor superior de la normalidad, en ausencia de otras causas de hepatopatía: consumo de alcohol, hepatitis autoinmune, farmacológica, vírica o hemocromatosis. Se realizaron análisis univariantes para evaluar la relación de cada variable con la variable dependiente, un estudio multivariante mediante regresión logística y un análisis de la varianza para estudiar la relación del número de factores de SM con la presencia de EHNA.
La cohorte final incluyó 2.242 pacientes (51,3% varones), de los cuales 255 (11,4%) presentaban criterios de EHNA (71% varones). El 52,6% presentaba SM (69,4% en el grupo de EHNA frente al 50,5% sin EHNA, p = 0,001). La prevalencia de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 fue de 11,5% (16,5% en el grupo con EHNA frente al 10,8% de los pacientes sin EHNA, p = 0,01). En el análisis multivariado, el perímetro abdominal, la presencia de SM (como variable categórica), el índice de masa corporal, la diabetes mellitus tipo 2, la edad, la insulina plasmática basal y la ferritinemia se asociaron de forma independiente con la presencia de EHNA. El análisis de la varianza reveló que la EHNA y los niveles de transaminasas se correlacionaron también de forma significativa con el número de factores de SM.
En nuestra población, tanto el SM como la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 y varios factores relacionados con el SM se asociaron de manera independiente con la presencia de EHNA. La EHNA puede así representar también la manifestación hepática del SM en los pacientes con hipertensión arterial esencial.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver is a chronic liver disease in which fat is deposited in the liver, causing an inflammation called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and fibrosis. NASH is associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) and other cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to analyse the epidemiological features of NASH within a hypertensive population, with a high prevalence of MS, and to determine the features related to NASH.
The computerised records were collected from 3,473 patients from Mostoles University Hospital's Hypertension Unit in order to perform a retrospective, cross-sectional study. NASH was considered as ultrasound-detected fatty liver disease along with serum levels of alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase 1.5 times above normal values, having ruled out other causes of liver disease: alcohol abuse, autoimmune hepatitis, drug toxicity, virus and hemochromatosis. A univariate, multivariate, and ANOVA analysis were performed to assess the effect of the studied features on the response of interest.
The cohort included 2,242 patients (51.3% men). NASH was present in 255 patients (11.4%) of whom 71% were men. MS was detected in 52.6% of patients (69.4% in the NASH group, and 50.5% in the non-NASH group, P=.001). Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus was 11.5% (16.5% in the NASH group, and 10.8% in the non-NASH group, P=.01). In a multivariate analysis, waist circumference, MS, body mass index, type 2 diabetes mellitus, age, fasting serum insulin, and serum ferritin were associated with NASH. ANOVA revealed that NASH and transaminases were also significantly associated with components of metabolic syndrome.
In the population studied, MS, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and several components of MS were independently associated with NASH. Therefore, NASH can be considered as the liver manifestation of MS in patients with arterial hypertension.
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ArticlesUnexplained Elevations in Alanine Aminotransferase in Individuals with the Metabolic Syndrome: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES III)

ABSTRACT

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Section snippets

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Hepatology

Clin Nutr

Hepatology

Hepatology

Hepatology

Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology

Atherosclerosis

Hepatology

Am J Gastroenterol

Update on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

J Clin Gastroenterol

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a feature of metabolic syndrome

Diabetes

Microalbuminuria and hypertension with focus on type 1 and type 2 diabetes

J Intern Med

Articles
Unexplained Elevations in Alanine Aminotransferase in Individuals with the Metabolic Syndrome: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES III)