Jf. Tsai et al., Sex differences in relation to serum hepatitis B e antigen and alanine aminotransferase levels among asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers, J GASTRO, 35(9), 2000, pp. 690-695
This study aimed to investigate sex differences in relation to hepatitis B
e antigen (HBeAg) and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in chroni
c asymptomatic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. HBeAg and ALT level were
determined in 636 asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers. There
was no significant sex differences in the age-adjusted prevalence of HBeAg.
Abnormal ALT level (>45 IU/l) was more frequent in carriers with HBeAg (17
.5% vs 7.6%; P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that male sex (odd
s ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval? 1.1-3.6) and HBeAg (odds ratio, 2.6;
95% confidence interval, 1.6-4.3) were independent risk factors for abnorm
al ALT levels. Male sex and HBeAg-positivity are independent risk factors f
or abnormal ALT activity in chronic HBV infection. This observation may be
related to sex differences in chronic HBV infection.