Background
The liver plays an important role in gonadal steroid hormone metabolism, which can affect reproductive health, including the menstrual cycle. However, evidence from large population-based studies is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between liver function markers and menstrual cycle irregularities in premenopausal Korean women using nationwide data.
Methods
This study analyzed Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010–2011. We investigated 3,045 premenopausal women aged 19–59 years. Liver function markers including serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase, and fatty liver index were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between liver function markers and menstrual cycle irregularity while adjusting for confounding factors. Values were presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analysis was also performed.
Results
Baseline characteristic analysis showed that approximately 14.4% of the study population experienced menstrual cycle irregularity. The mean age was 34.5±0.7 years. The highest quartile of serum ALT and AST levels showed significantly higher ORs for menstrual cycle irregularity (adjusted OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.26–2.64 and adjusted OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.17–2.39, respectively). A similar result was observed in the subgroup analysis.
Conclusion
Liver function markers were positively associated with menstrual cycle irregularities. In clinical settings, women of reproductive age with relatively decreased liver function should be considered for regular followup of their reproductive health status.

Background
The blood level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is associated with increased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. However, its use as an independent factor for CHD risk prediction remains unclear in Asian populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between serum ALT levels and CHD risk in Koreans.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (V-1, 2010 and V-2, 2011). The ALT levels of 3,215 individuals were analyzed. The Framingham Risk Score (FRS) modified by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) was used to compute the 10-year CHD risk prediction.
Results
Positive correlations were established between log-transformed ALT concentration and FRS (r=0.433, P<0.001). After adjusting for body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the amount of alcohol intake, and gamma-glutamyl transferase, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for intermediate or greater risk of 10- year CHD prediction (10-year risk ≥10%) for the lowest quartile of participants was 2.242 (1.405–3.577) for the second quartile, 2.879 (1.772–4.679) for the third quartile, and 3.041 (1.789–5.170) for the highest quartile.
Conclusion
In Koreans, a higher serum ALT concentration was significantly correlated with 10-year CHD risk prediction according to NCEP ATP III guidelines.

Citations

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