Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus in patients with elevated or persistently normal serum alanine aminotransferase levels: Comparison of hepatic histology and response to interferon therapy

Ninety-five patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, 35 wit h persistently normal serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, were ran domized to treatment with daily interferon (IFN) for 3 months, followed by IFN 3 times weekly (TIW) for 12 months (group A) or TIW for 18 months (grou p B), Patients with elevated versus normal ALT levels had similar demograph ic and virologic characteristics but significantly (P < .05) more advanced liver histology (bridging fibrosis and cirrhosis, 37.9% vs. 11,4%). After 3 months of treatment, 38.3% of patients in group A were HCV RNA negative ve rsus 18.8% in group B (P < .05). When the IFN dose was reduced from daily t o TIW in group A, the percentage of patients who remained HCV RNA negative declined; sustained virologic response was similar in both groups (10.6% vs . 8.3%). Response to treatment was similar in patients with elevated or nor mal ALT levels, Persons with chronic HCV infection and persistently normal serum ALT levels have milder liver disease than, and respond to IFN therapy similarly to, persons with elevated ALT levels.