title: Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase as a risk factor for general cardiovascular disease prediction in Koreans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is a novel cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor, but its use as an independent factor for general CVD risk prediction remains unclear in general population. This study examined the association between serum GGT concentration and 10-year CVD risk in Koreans.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was performed on 27,270 Koreans. Besides individual components of 10-year CVD risk, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, liver enzymes, lipid profile, uric acid and high sensitive C-reactive protein data were used. The study subjects were grouped into quartiles according to the levels of GGT. Analyses relating GGT to 10-year CVD risk greater than 20% used multiple confounders-adjusted logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Positive correlations were established between log-transformed GGT concentration and 10-year CVD risk (Spearman's rho = 0.51; P < 0.001). Compared to the lowest baseline GGT category, unadjusted odds ratios for 10-year CVD risk greater than 20% were significantly increased from the lowest to the highest GGT quartiles; these results remained significant after adjustments for multiple confounders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased GGT concentration is associated with the increase in 10-year CVD risk. Serum GGT may be helpful to predict the future risk of general CVD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang-Min
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Bom-Taeck
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Duck-Joo
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sat-Byul
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Nam-Seok
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.forename: Kyu-Nam
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000208:ethnology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; C554782:gamma-glutamyltransferase, human