Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2014-1
Clinical Implications in the Prevalence and Associated Cardiovascular Factors of Elevated Serum Alanine Aminotransferase Levels among Elderly Agricultural and Fishing Population in Taipei,Taiwan
To discuss the prevalence and associated factors related to an elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level among the elderly agricultural and fishing population.
Methods
A total of 6542 (3989 males and 2553 females) healthy adults voluntarily admitted to a teaching hospital for a physical checkup in 2010 in Taipei, Taiwan. Fasting blood samples were drawn via venipuncture, and clinical nurses interviewed the study participants using a structured questionnaire from.
Results
The overall prevalence of an elevated serum ALT level was 18.2% and revealed a statistically significant decrease with increasing age (P < 0.001). The men exhibited a higher prevalence than the women (19.7% vs 15.9%; P < 0.001). Male sex; younger age; and presence of obesity, hypertension, hyperuricemia, and hypoalbuminemia were significantly associated with an elevated serum ALT level. Sex-related differences were also revealed. For the men, type 2 diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.57), hypercholesterolemia (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.22–2.83), hypertriglyceridemia (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.04–1.73), and low high-density lipoprotein (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.05–1.51) were significantly related to an elevated serum ALT level, but this was not so for the women. The disparity of ALT in age groups was revealed.
Conclusion
Several sex-related differences were indicated pertaining to the prevalence of an elevated serum ALT level among elderly specific occupational population.
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