Serum γ-glutamyltransferase: Statistical distribution in a middle-aged male population and evaluation of alcohol habits in individuals with elevated levels

Abstract

Serum γ-glutamyltransferase activity (GGT) was measured in two middle-aged, male Malmö birth-year cohorts. Increased GGT-values were found in 16% of this population sample. There were broad correlations, throughout both the normal and elevated range of GGT values with screening serum triglycerides, 120-min blood glucose in oral glucose tolerance tests, pulse and blood pressure indices, body weight, serum urate and, more weakly, serum cholesterol values. Results of other tests related to liver dysfunction were elevated in only about half of a study group of individuals with elevated screening GGT. Careful evaluation of alcohol habits in this group revealed heavy drinking as the most probable underlying factor in about three-fourths of the cases. We conclude that serum GGT, when included in a general medical screening examination, may help in detecting hidden alcoholism and may also be utilized in an individually oriented program aimed at the prevention of alcoholism.