Clinical Features of Hepatitis A in Korean Adults.
- Author:
Sang Goo LEE
1
;
Joon Hyoek LEE
;
Seung Woon PAIK
;
Kwang Cheol KOH
;
Moon Seok CHOI
;
Poong Lyul RHEE
;
Jae Jun KIM
;
Jong Chul RHEE
;
Kyoo Wan CHOI
;
Chung Il SOHN
;
Chang Young PARK
;
Woo Kyu CHEON
;
Byeong Ik KIM
;
Eul Sun JUNG
;
Seong Gook CHEON
;
Ki Ho PARK
;
Il Soon HWANG
;
Eun Joo KIM
;
In Koo KANG
;
Byeong Wook LEE
;
Chung HUR
Author Information
1. Division of Gastroenterology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Hepatitis A virus (HAV);
Acute viral hepatitis A;
Clinical features;
Atypical course;
Relapsing hepatitis
- MeSH:
Adult*;
Alkaline Phosphatase;
Bilirubin;
Eating;
Fever;
Follow-Up Studies;
Hepatitis A*;
Hepatitis*;
Humans;
Korea;
Liver Failure, Acute;
Retrospective Studies
- From:Korean Journal of Medicine
1999;56(6):685-690
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to characterize the clinical features and course of acute hepatitis A in Korean adults. METHODS: One-hundred and thirteen cases of acute hepatitis A, diagnosed between Jan. 1995 to July 1998 at 6 medical centers in Korea, were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical course of 94 cases with follow-up duration longer than 3 months were analyzed. RESULTS: The median age was 26 (16-65) years and 97.3% of the patients were under 40 years. The presumed sources of infection were identifed in 62 cases (54.9%). Among those, the leading source was ingestion of raw food. All patients showed normalization of bilirubin level within 8 weeks. The ALT levels normalized within 8 weeks in all patients except three patients (3.2%). Three patients with prolonged elevation of ALT showed second rise of ALT, suggesting a possibility of relapsing hepatitis. Prolonged fever (>38 degree C) more than 10 days was observed in 3 patients (3.2%). One case showed prolonged elevation of alkaline phosphatase (> x3 upper normal limit). No case of fulminant hepatic failure or death was observed. CONCLUSION: The majority of cases with acute hepatitis A in Korean adults showed self-limited course with full recovery.
