Gamma-glutamyl-transferase is associated with incident hip fractures in women and men ≥ 50 years: a large population-based cohort study

Summary The association of serum gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) with hip fracture risk has not been examined in women and men ≥ 50 years. We show that elevated GGT was associated with increased hip fracture risk, particularly in men. GGT could be a candidate serum marker of long-term hip fracture risk in the elderly. Introduction We herein examined a possible relation between serum levels of GGT and hip fracture risk in women and men aged ≥ 50 years, which has not been investigated before. Methods In this population-based prospective cohort study, approximately 41,000 women and nearly 33,000 men ≥ 50 years participating in a medical prevention program 1985–2005 in western Austria were followed up for the occurrence of osteoporotic hip fractures during 2003–2013. ICD-10 based discharge diagnoses for hip fracture included S72.0, S72.1, and S72.2 available from all regional hospitals. GGT-related hip fracture risk was ascertained at each participant´s first and last examination during the prevention program. In a subset of 5445 participants, alcohol consumption could be included as a covariate. Results In men, hip fracture risk rose significantly by 75% and 86% for every tenfold increase of GGT measured at the first and last examination, respectively, and in women, hip fracture risk rose by 22% from the last examination. Elevated GGT (≥ 36 U/l in women, ≥ 56 U/l in men) at the first examination was associated with increased hip fracture risk only in men (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.25–1.82), and at the last examination in both women (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02–1.28) and men (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.33–1.95). Alcohol consumption had no significant influence on GGT-mediated hip fracture risk in women and men. Conclusions Our findings identified an association of elevated GGT and hip fracture in women and men ≥ 50 years and suggest GGT as a candidate serum marker of long-term hip fracture risk in an elderly population.