Gamma Glutamyltransferase and Long-Term Survival: Is It Just the Liver?

BACKGROUND: Increased gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) is associated with cardiovascular disease. To date, however, few studies with sufficient sample size and follow-up have investigated the association of GGT with all-cause mortality. METHODS: The relation of GGT to the risk of death was examined in a cohort of 283 438 first attendants (inpatients or outpatients) of the Vienna General Hospital with request for GGT analysis as part of a routine screening panel and was monitored for up to 13 years. To evaluate GGT as a predictor, Cox proportional hazards models were calculated, which were adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: In both men and women, GGT above the reference category (GGT > or = 9 U/L in women, > or = 14 U/L in men) was significantly (P 80 years, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: GGT is associated with mortality in both men and women, especially in patients younger than 30 years, and even high-normal GGT is a risk factor for all-cause mortality.