Cross-sectional association between gamma-glutamyl transferase and hyperuricaemia: the China Multi-Ethinic Cohort (CMEC) study

OBJECTIVES: Several studies have demonstrated the association between gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and hyperuricaemia, but little is known about such relation in less-developed ethnic minority regions. DESIGN: We cross-sectionally analysed data from the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (Yunnan region). SETTING: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: 22 020 participants aged 30–79 years from Han ethnicity, Yi ethnicity and Bai ethnicity. OUTCOMES: The serum level of uric acid, GGT and other metabolic parameters were tested. Weight, height and blood pressure were measured. Smoking, drinking, ethnicity, education and medical history were obtained from questionnaires. RESULTS: In the crude model, compared with the lowest quintile, the second, third, fourth and fifth quintiles of serum GGT exhibited a positive association with hyperuricaemia risk (OR=1.69, 2.90, 4.34 and 7.70, 95% CI=1.42 to 2.01, 2.47 to 3.42, 3.71 to 5.09 and 6.60 to 8.98, respectively, p-trend<0.0001). In fully adjusted model, compared with the lowest quintile, the second, third, fourth and fifth quintiles of serum GGT also exhibited a positive association with hyperuricaemia risk (OR=1.26, 1.68, 2.02 and 3.02, 95% CI=1.04 to 1.51, 1.40 to 2.00, 1.69 to 2.42 and 2.51 to 3.64, respectively, p-trend<0.0001). Logistic regression model was conducted separately in ethnic groups. Compared with first quintile, the highest GGT level were related to higher risk of hyperuricaemia in three ethnic groups (OR (95% CI): 2.89 (2.26 to 3.68), 2.81 (1.93 to 4.11) and 3.04 (1.91 to 4.84) for Han, Yi and Bai ethnicity, respectively, p-trend <0.0001). The relationship between GGT and hyperuricaemia was also observed in different age groups or gender groups. CONCLUSIONS: High serum GGT level was related to a higher risk of hyperuricaemia in less-developed ethnic minority regions in China.