Dr. K Mahalakshmi, Dr. M Senthilvelan, Dr. K Baburaj, Dr. Manojkumar V and Dr. Bhuvaneshwari V
Fatty liver seems to be common problem among the young and middle aged population. It includes a spectrum of liver disease from simple fatty liver to hepatic steatosis to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Fatty liver disease comprises both alcoholic fatty liver disease to non alcoholic fatty liver disease. Early detection of fatty liver disease helps to prevent these major events of disease progression. The serum gamma glutamyl transferase level rise early in the spectrum of fatty liver disease and returns back to normal in most of the cases. So estimation of the serum gamma glutamyl transferase in fatty liver disease serves as an non invasive biomarker in fatty liver disease.
Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the serum GGT levels in patients with fatty liver and to show that it can be used as a non invasive diagnostic biomarker for the diagnosis of fatty liver disease.
Materials and Methods: The study was a case control study which was done in100 patients. Of the total 100 cases 50 were categorized as case group with ultrasound abdomen finding of fatty liver and the remaining 50 are control group with normal ultrasound abdomen reports. The investigations like, serum gamma glutamyl transferase, liver function test, renal function test, serum random blood sugar, fasting lipid profile, HIV, HbsAg were done with special importance given to serum GGT levels. These parameters between the case and control group were studied based on pearson correlation test and student t-test.
Results: Comparison of GGT values between case and control group, which shows serum GGT level of 69.38 ± 16(IU/L) cases and21.34 ± 5.29(IU/L) controls. The mean serum TGL level was 300 ± 39(IU/L), serum LDL level was 138.5 ± 27(IU/L) in the case (fatty liver) group and the control (normal) group TGL level was 230 ± 35.5(IU/L), LDL level was 138.5 ± 27(IU/L) which was statistically significant and p value was <0.001. The pearson correlation and two tailed student t-test between cases and control group with reference to serum GGT shows a p value of less than 0.001 (p <0.001), which was statistically significant and hence this indicates that serum GGT levels are elevated in majority of cases of fatty liver disease.
Conclusion: Gamma glutamyl transferase levels are significantly elevated above normal in patients presenting with sonographic evidence of fatty liver disease. There is a significant correlation between GGT levels and incidence of asymptomatic fatty liver disease. The mean value of GGT was significantly elevated in patients with asymptomatic fatty liver disease. Patients with significantly elevated GGT values maybe advised for early life style modifications to prevent further progression of hepatic steatosis. In conclusion, estimation of serum GGT in fatty liver disease serves as non invasive biomarker for diagnosis of fatty liver disease.
How to cite this article:
Dr. K Mahalakshmi, Dr. M Senthilvelan, Dr. K Baburaj, Dr. Manojkumar V, Dr. Bhuvaneshwari V.
The estimation of serum gamma glutamyl transferase in fatty liver disease. Int J Adv Res Med 2021;3(2):496-501. DOI:
10.22271/27069567.2021.v3.i2h.296
