Korean J Med.  1999 Jun;56(6):685-690.

Clinical Features of Hepatitis A in Korean Adults

• Lee SG
• Lee JH
• Paik SW
• Koh KC
• Choi MS
• Rhee PL
• Kim JJ
• Rhee JC
• Choi KW
• Sohn CI
• Park CY
• Cheon WK
• Kim BI
• Jung ES
• Cheon SG
• Park KH
• Hwang IS
• Kim EJ
• Kang IK
• Lee BW
• Hur C

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.

Keyword

Hepatitis A virus (HAV); Acute viral hepatitis A; Clinical features; Atypical course; Relapsing hepatitis

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Alkaline Phosphatase
Bilirubin
Eating
Fever
Follow-Up Studies
Hepatitis A*
Hepatitis*
Humans
Korea
Liver Failure, Acute
Retrospective Studies
Alkaline Phosphatase
Bilirubin