Combined effect of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and uric acid on Framingham risk score.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and uric acid (UA) are novel

coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors. In the present study we investigated

the combined effects of GGT and UA on Framingham risk score (FRS) in a Korean

population. METHODS: A total of 10,096 subjects (5,124 females and 4,972 males)

were enrolled in this study. A 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk was

calculated using the FRS modified by the National Cholesterol Education Program

(NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). Levels of circulating GGT and UA were

measured using validated assays. RESULTS: The 10-year CHD risk gradually

augmented with increase in the circulating levels of GGT and UA. For the highest

quartile of GGT and UA, odds ratio (OR) of intermediate-risk and beyond for CHD

(10-year risk >/=10%) compared with the lowest quartile was 3.44 (95% CI:

2.60-4.55, p <0.001) and 1.97 (95% CI: 1.56-4.55, p <0.001) after adjusting for

confounders, respectively. OR of intermediate-risk and beyond for CHD in both

3(rd) and 4(th) quartile of GGT and UA was 9.9 (95% CI: 5.2-18.6) compared with

the first quartile of those. CONCLUSIONS: GGT and UA levels are well associated

with the 10-year CHD risk estimated using NCEP ATP III in Koreans after adjusting

for confounders and combination of GGT and UA levels can have a strong synergy in

predicting the development of CHD.