ELEVATED GGT, MINIMUM DEVIATIONS OF THE L IVER HISTOLOGY, ABDOMINAL COMPLAINTS - A FUNCTIONAL LIVER DISORDER

Of 1756 liver biopsies performed in the years 1987-1991, in 139 cases the patients exhibited both a nearly normal liver histology and elevat ed GGT values. After exclusion of patients with known causes for an el evated GGT 15 patients were selected, who over at least one year, were documented as having at least 3 measured GGT values with an average o f over 40 U/l. In the follow-up of 1-15 years a typical constellation was detectable: longterm elevation of GGT (average 47-156 U/l, moreove r a smaller degree of elevation of GLDH and GPT), minimal deviations f rom norm in liver histology (per-portal fibrosis and/or fatty liver de generation), and functional abdominal complaints. This triad occurred predominantly in middle-aged males, did not exhibit laboratory-chemica l or histological signs of progression or regression tendencies and co uld be interpreted as a >>functional<< liver disorder with parelleles to M. Gilbert-Meulengracht.