Assessment of Liver Function Parameters in Patients Attending a Teaching Hospital in Ibadan

Hepatic dysfunction is a significant clinical challenge in Nigerian healthcare settings, often associated with alcohol use, viral hepatitis, and widespread use of herbal and over-the-counter medications. This study assesses liver function parameters, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, and serum albumin, among patients attending a teaching hospital in Ibadan, South West Nigeria. A retrospective cross-sectional design was used, drawing on laboratory records of 250 patients over a twelve-month period. Patients were categorised by age, sex, diagnosis, and medication history. Hepatitis B surface antigen status and alcohol consumption history were also documented. The study seeks to identify patterns of liver enzyme elevation and determine which demographic and clinical variables are most strongly associated with abnormal results. Data will be analysed using SPSS version 26, with Pearson correlation and chi-square tests applied as appropriate. Preliminary observations suggest that male patients between 30 and 50 years of age account for the majority of elevated transaminase cases, consistent with patterns reported in similar West African studies. The role of hepatotoxic herbal preparations in observed enzyme derangements is also examined. Findings are expected to underscore the need for routine liver function monitoring in at-risk groups. Keywords: liver function tests, hepatotoxicity, transaminases, Ibadan, hepatitis.