Are liver function biomarkers independently associated with framingham risk score in women?

Abstract

SUMMARY Introduction/Objective Given the contradictory results regarding the association of liver function biomarkers [e.g., alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and total bilirubin)] and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), we aimed to explore the relationship between these biomarkers and Framingham risk score (FRS), an established tool used in the prediction of 10-year CVD risk in the cohort of women. Methods A total of 278 women participated in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric, biochemical parameters, and blood pressure were obtained. Results There was a significant increase in ALT and GGT activity, as well as a decrease in total bilirubin level in the high-risk FRS group compared to moderate-, and low-risk FRS (p for trend = 0.025, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index, triglycerides, creatinine, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were the independent predictors of FRS in women [odds ratio (OR) = 1.234, p = 0.001; OR = 2.856, p = 0.001; OR = 1.090, p = 0.002, and OR = 1.295, p = 0.045, respectively]. In contrast, total bilirubin, ALT and GGT lost their independent predictions for high CVD risk. Conclusion Liver function biomarkers (i.e. ALT, GGT, and total bilirubin) are not independently associated with FRS. It seems that some other cardiometabolic disturbances might modulate this relationship.