Abstract

Summary The nature of the interrelationships among nine liver function tests in acute viral hepatitis has been studied in detail. As a group the highest intercorrelations among the tests were observed with the urine coproporphyrin and per cent cholesterol esters, the lowest with the zinc sulfate turbidity and urine urobilinogen tests. The observed effectiveness of each test in differentiating between hepatitis patients and normal individuals was wholly dependent upon factors accounting for the independent significance of four tests-the Bromsulf alein, zinc turbidity, hippuric acid, and urine coproporphyrin tests. Coproporphyrin factors contributed the largest amount to the observed eff ectivenes of the total bilirubin, thymol turbidity, per cent cholesterol esters, galactose tolerance, and urine urobilinogen tests. They also contributed significantly to the effectiveness of the Bromsulfalein and hippuric acid tests, but were relatively independent of the zinc turbidity test. Factors accounting for the independent significance of the hippuric acid test contributed appreciably to the observed effectiveness of each of the other tests, though less extensively than the coproporphyrin factors in all instances except that involving the zinc turbidity test. Bromsulfalein factors were most important in determining the observed effectiveness of the hippuric acid test. Though being of secondary importance, they also contributed significantly to the observed effectiveness of the galactose tolerance, per cent cholesterol esters, and urine coproporphyrin tests. All but two of the tests were relatively independent of zinc turbidity factors. The same four sets of basic physiologic factors are involved in both acute hepatitis and cirrhosis; however, the relative importance of each set differs greatly. In cirrhosis, the set of factors accounting for the independent significance of the Bromsulf alein test are by far of greatest importance. In acute hepatitis, the set of factors accounting for the independent significance of the urine coproporphyrin test are most important.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.