Association of GGT and hs-CRP with hypertension across different glycemic states in Saudi adults: A cross-sectional study

Atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes (DM) is preceded by inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Early detection of these risk factors is expected to improve prognosis. We aimed to examine the association between gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) with hypertension (HTN) in the presence and absence of dysglycaemia among Saudi adults not previously diagnosed with DM.Methods: adults were recruited randomly from public healthcare centres in Jeddah. Demographic information, blood pressure, and anthropometric measurements were taken. Fasting blood samples were drawn to measure glucose, glycated haemoglobin, lipid profile, hs-CRP, and GGT. Blood was drawn again following a 1-h oral glucose tolerance test, and plasma glucose was measured.

Mean GGT and hs-CRP were higher in people with HTN and dysglycaemia than those without both (P < 0.001). In people with HTN, those with intermediate hyperglycaemia (pre-DM) had significantly higher means of GGT and hs-CRP compared with those without (P < 0.001 and 0.013, respectively). In people with pre-DM, those with HTN had significantly higher means of GGT than those without (P = 0.008), but the increase in mean hs-CRP was not statistically significant. Mean GGT was higher in people with DM compared to means of those with pre-DM and HTN (P = 0.04).

An association between higher serum levels of hs-CRP and GGT and dysglycaemia exists, especially in hypertensive people. Monitoring both biomarkers in dysglycaemic people, especially if they have elevated blood pressure, is recommended to initiate therapeutic interventions.