Correlation of serum Alanine transaminase level with grade of fatty liver assessed on ultrasonograph

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), commonly known as "Fatty Liver," is characterized by the absence of lobular inflammation and macrovesicular changes caused by inflammation (steatosis). It encompasses two subgroups: Steatosis and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis, both forms of NAFL. Ultrasonography is employed to assess the grade and severity of the disease. Alanine transaminase (ALT) levels in the blood serve as biomarkers for its diagnosis. We conducted a study at the Diagnostic Centre of Combined Military Hospital in Lahore, this cross-sectional study involved 100 participants selected via convenient sampling from April 2023 to June 2023. The study aims to explore correlation between ALT levels and the grades of fatty liver detected through ultrasound. All participants undergoing abdominal ultrasound suspected of having fatty liver were included, and their ALT levels were measured. Among the 100 participants, 21% did not exhibit fatty liver, with 71.4% having normal ALT levels, 19% having ALT levels between 41-60 U/L, and 9.5% having ALT levels greater than 80 U/L. Grade 1 fatty liver was identified in 32 patients, with 34% having normal ALT levels, 62.5% having ALT levels between 41-60 U/L, and 3.1% having ALT levels greater than 80 U/L. Additionally, 26% of patients were classified as having grade 2 fatty liver, among which 26.9% had ALT levels between 41-60 U/L, and 73.1% had ALT levels falling between 60-80 U/L. Lastly, 21% of patients were categorized with grade 3 fatty liver, with 9.5% having ALT levels between 60-80 U/L, and 90.5% having ALT levels greater than 80 U/L. This study demonstrates a direct relationship between ALT levels and the seriousness of fatty liver disease, suggesting ALT as a potential biomarker for assessing disease progression.