Elevated Liver Enzymes In Asymptomatic Patients – What Should I Do?

Keywords

Aminotransferase elevation; Approach to alteration of liver enzymes; Elevated liver enzymes; Evaluation of abnormal liver enzymes; Liver function tests

Abstract

Elevated liver enzymes are a common scenario encountered by physicians in clinical practice. For many physicians, how-ever, evaluation of such a problem in patients presenting with no symptoms can be challenging. Evidence supporting a standardized approach to evaluation is lacking. Although alterations of liver enzymes could be a normal physiological phenomenon in certain cases, it may also reflect potential liver injury in others, necessitating its further assessment and management. In this article, we provide a guide to primary care clinicians to interpret abnormal elevation of liver enzymes in asymptomatic patients using a step-wise algorithm. Adopting a schematic approach that classifies enzyme alterations on the basis of pattern (hepatocellular, cholestatic and isolated hyperbilirubinemia), we review an approach to abnormal alteration of liver enzymes within each section, the most common causes of enzyme alteration, and suggest initial investigations.

Publication Date

1-1-2017

Publication Title

Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology

Volume

5

Issue

4

Number of Pages

394-403

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.14218/JCTH.2017.00027

Socpus ID

85089271413 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85089271413

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS