Other studies also point out a serious prognostic value of AST/ALT ratio [46, 47]. Among the routine laboratory tests, decreased platelet count, increase in the ratio of aspar-tate to alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT), and prolonged prothrombin time are the earliest indicators of cirrhosis and portal hypertension [48, 49]. These findings support the recommendation that patients with normal aminotransferase levels and mild liver histology can safely defer treatment [2].