An association of elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase with acute cholangitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The early diagnosis of acute cholangitis (AC) is critical for appropriate treatment. METHODOLOGY: Patient records from April 2008 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Data on white blood cell count and levels of C-reactive protein, total-bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) were collected from AC patients on the day they underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for diagnosis and treatment. Data were collected 3 months before ERCP to analyze the rate of change of these variables. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis was performed. RESULTS: We enrolled 63 patients with AC and 65 patients with non-AC. The threshold values of ALP and gamma-GTP were 1.09 and 1.30, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: 450 (IU/L) and 100 (IU/L), respectively, were thresholds of ALP and gamma-GTP on the day of ERCP. 1.09 and 1.30, respectively, were thresholds of ALP and gamma-GTP rates of change for the diagnosis of AC.