Activity of aminotransferases as a marker of liver injury in home parenteral nutrition patients

Abstract

Aim of the study: Parenteral nutrition associated liver disease (PNALD) is a frequently reported complication of long-term parenteral nutrition. Early diagnosis and treatment of PNALD can help prevent end-stage liver disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the activity of aminotransferases as a marker of liver dysfunction in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition under the care of a reference center. Material and methods: A comprehensive analysis of patients’ medical records from a 9-year period (December 2012 – December 2021) was conducted and the following parameters were evaluated: parenteral nutrition mixture composition, total plasma bilirubin, activity of the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), standardized time factor prothrombin (international normalized ratio [INR] factor) and serum albumin. The analysis covered 630,537 days of parenteral nutrition. The study included 251 patients (140 women and 111 men) included in the Home Parenteral Nutrition Program. Results: PNALD was diagnosed in 11 parenteral fed patients, which gives the frequency of 8.3%/9 years of treatment. Two deaths were classified as cause of death related to liver disease but not related to PNALD. None of the patients included in the analysis developed end-stage liver failure. Conclusions: The above analysis shows that individual selection of the composition of the mixture for intravenous nutrition significantly reduces the risk of PNALD and may prevent liver failure in this context.