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Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is an important differential diagnosis for asymptomatic patients with chronically elevated plasma liver enzyme levels, especially if obesity, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia are present. Analysis of liver biopsy specimens is necessary for diagnosis and must be done in all patients with unexplained abnormal liver function and negative results on a noninvasive workup. Prognosis is good in most patients. The precise role of weight reduction and ursodeoxycholic acid therapy in the favorable alteration of the natural history of this disorder needs to be addressed in large, well-controlled studies.

The AST/ALT ratio is a dependable marker of fibrosis stage and cirrhosis in patients with chronic HCV infection.

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