A comparison in the progression of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C between persistently normal and elevated transaminase.

Background: Detectable serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in HCV patients with persistently normal alanine transaminase (PNALT) has been found to be associated with significant liver damage.

Aims: The primary outcome of this study was to compare the histological progression of fibrosis in patients with PNALT and elevated alanine transaminase (ALT).

Methods: Forty patients with PNALT (Group 1) and 41 patients with elevated ALT (Group 2) were recruited into this study.