Table 1 Baseline characteristics of study participants across GGT quartiles

N = 1,465

N = 1,383

N = 1,254

N = 1,344

Male (%)

46

80

89

95

<0.001

Mean age, y (±SD)

41(9)

43(10)

45(10)

45(9)

<0.001

Mean BMI, kg/m² (±SD)

24(3)

26(4)

27(4)

28(4)

<0.001

Mean waist circumference, cm (±SD)

83(11)

90(11)

95(11)

98(10)

<0.001

Obesity, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² (%)

9

18

31

35

<0.001

Mean SBP, mmHg (±SD)

112(12)

118(12)

121(12)

124(13)

<0.001

Mean DBP, mmHg (±SD)

73(8)

76(7)

78(8)

80(8)

<0.001

HTN present(%)

6

11

15

19

<0.001

Antihypertensive (%)

6

10

14

19

<0.001

Median AST, IU/L (IQR)

25 (22,29)

28 (25,32)

30 (26,34)

34 (29,41)

<0.001

Median ALT, IU/L (IQR)

23 (19,29)

30 (25,38)

35 (29,45)

46 (35,61)

<0.001

Mean uric acid, mg/dl

4.8(1.3)

5.7(1.2)

6.2(1.2)

6.4(1.3)

<0.001

Median hsCRP, mg/L (IQR)

0.9 (0.5,1.8)

1.1 (0.6,2.1)

1.4 (0.7,2.7)

1.6 (0.9,2.9)

<0.001

Median triglycerides, mg/dl (IQR)

88 (67,119)

107 (79,149)

130 (95,180)

151 (108, 211)

<0.001

Mean HDL, mg/dl (±SD)

54(14)

49(13)

45(12)

45(12)

<0.001

Mean LDL, mg/dl (±SD)

120(30)

131(32)

134(34)

138(34)

<0.001

Mean FBG, mg/dl (±SD)

85(8)

88(9)

91(10)

93(13)

<0.001

NAFLD present(%)

9

27

49

59

<0.001

Statin (%)

4

7

9

12

<0.001

Current smoker (%)

7

8

10

11

<0.001

High alcohol consumption (%)

9

11

15

27

<0.001

Physically active (%)

80

79

73

70

<0.001