Elevated AST/ALT ratio is associated with all‐cause mortality and cancer incident

Abstract

Background:The aspartate transaminase (AST)-to-alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, which is used to measure liver injury, has been found to be associated with some chronic diseases and mortality. However, its relevance to cancer incidence resulting from population-based prospective studies has rarely been reported. In this study, we investigated the correlation of the AST/ALT ratio as a possible predictor of mortality and cancer incidence. Methods: A total of 9,946 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria for a basic public health service project of the Health Checkup Program conducted by the BaiYun Community Health Service Center, Taizhou. Deceased participants and cancer incident cases were from The Taizhou Chronic Disease Information Management System.Odds ratios (ORs) and interval of quartile range (IQR) computed by logistic regression analysis and cumulative incidence rate were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier survival method and compared with log-rank test statistics.Results: Serum ALT and AST levels were both increased in patients with chronic diseases, but the ratio of AST/ALT was generally decreased. The cancer incident cases (488 new cases) had a greater baseline ratio (median =1.23, IQR: 0.96-1.54) than noncancer cases (median =1.15, IQR: 0.91-1.44). Compared to the first quartile of the AST/ALT ratio, the population in the top quartile had a higher cumulative cancer incidence rate (7.54% vs. 4.44%) during follow-up period. Furthermore, an elevated AST/ ALT ratio increased the risk of all-cause mortality. Conclusions:The ratio of AST/ALT is a potential biomarker to assess healthy conditions and long-term mortality. Especially for cancer, the AST/ALT ratio not only increases at baseline but also predicts the future development of cancer. The clinical value and potential mechanism deserve further research.

Relationship between the Serum De Ritis Ratio and Diabetes Tests in Korean Adults Who Underwent Health Screening at a General Hospital in Gyeonggi-do

“…In addition, the glucose and De Ritis ratio were negatively related and statistically significant (r=0.00, P＜0.01). These results can be explained in the same contents as the results of previous studies below, De Ritis ratio of ≥1.5 suggests intrahepatic cholestasis while values ≤1.5 suggest an extrahepatic process [12] and De Ritis ratio was negatively associated with blood glucose levels [13,14].…”

Risk factor analysis and a new prediction model of venous thromboembolism after pancreaticoduodenectomy

“…It was first proposed for studying the etiology of hepatitis and is often used to differentiate between the different causes of liver diseases, such as the fatty liver. Currently, the AST/ALT ratio is used as a validated biomarker for nonliver diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and other diseases [ 35 , 36 ]. The AST/ALT ratio reflects impaired liver function; however, its elevation does not necessarily accurately reflect the severity of liver diseases.…”

Exosomal MicroRNA-223, MicroRNA-146, and MicroRNA-21 Profiles and Biochemical Changes in Laryngeal Cancer

“…Aminotransaminases, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), are expressed by non-cancerous and cancerous cells by different mechanisms and are strongly involved in cellular metabolism and cancer cell turnover. 37 For this reason, changes in ALT and AST values were examined in our study. First, when the ALT values were examined, it was observed that there was no difference between the cancer group and the control group.…”