Clinical importance of gamma glutamyltransferase in the Ankara-Pursaklar region of Turkey.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to determine the etiologies of serum gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) elevation and relations between multiple etiologies prevalent in the Pursaklar region of Ankara in Turkey.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The patients referred to the Family Medicine and Internal Medicine departments with various complaints from the Pursaklar region of Ankara between July 2000 and July 2002 were evaluated, and values for GGT, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were determined. GGT elevation was classified as being associated with hepatic, biliary, and other origins.

RESULTS

For GGT elevation, hepatobiliary etiologies were more prevalent. The most prevalent hepatic etiology was nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, followed by biliary etiologies. The most prevalent etiology of biliary origin was cholelithiasis. Other etiologies, in order of prevalence, were drug exposure and urinary infection. There were no gender-related differences for distribution of GGT elevation; however, the GGT values for women were higher than those for men.