[Diagnosis of Gilbert's syndrome: current status of the fasting test. Review of the literature]

An Med Interna. 1997 Feb;14(2):57-61.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Gilbert's syndrome is a benign, often familial condition characterized by recurrent but asymptomatic jaundice.

Aim: To describe the involvement of the reduced caloric intake test, used as a diagnostic test in Gilbert's syndrome.

Method: 49 patients were diagnosed of Gilbert's syndrome for 6 years. 39 patients took 400 kcal/day for three days. The unconjugated bilirubinemia levels were measured at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours.

Results: The 82.05% of test were diagnostics at 24 hours (p < 0.001), while it was necessary 48 hours to 100% of tests were diagnostics (p < 0.05). In any case was necessary to determinate the unconjugated bilirubinemia at 72 hours (p < 0.5).

Conclusions: The best diagnostic efficiency of the reduced caloric intake test is at 48 hours, while the 24 hours determination could be considered diagnostic in a big percentage of the cases. It is not necessary the determination at 72 hours in any case.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bilirubin / blood
  • Child
  • Fasting*
  • Female
  • Gilbert Disease / blood
  • Gilbert Disease / diagnosis*
  • Gilbert Disease / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Bilirubin