Independent and additive effects of binge drinking and obesity on liver enzymes: a cross-sectional analysis using the Korean National Health Insurance Service data

Abstract Background Binge drinking (BD) has been associated with elevated liver enzymes, but the joint association of BD and adiposity with liver enzymes is understudied. We aimed to examine the combined association of BD and obesity with elevated liver enzymes. Methods Data were obtained from 285,600 patients in the Korean National Health check-up program during 2009–2015. Level I BD (BD I) was defined as alcohol consumption of >60 g (men) or >40 g (women) on one occasion in the previous year. High-intensity BD (HIBD) corresponded to at least two times the BD I levels. General and abdominal obesity were defined by body mass index and waist circumference. Logistic regression was used to examine the independent and joint associations of BD and obesity with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels. Relative excess risk (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (SI) were calculated to estimate the additive interaction effects. Results The mean age was 42.1 ± 0.03 years and 50.2% were women. Elevated ALT [odds ratio (OR) 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.16], AST (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.11–1.23), and GGT (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.05–1.94) were associated with HIBD. Higher odds of elevated ALT (OR 3.57, 95% CI 3.43–3.71), AST (OR 3.47, 95% CI 3.37–3.58), and GGT (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.98–2.12) were observed in individuals with general obesity. A similar trend was observed for abdominal obesity. The RERI, AP, and SI for the interaction effect of BD and general obesity were 23%, 7%, and 13% for elevated AST levels, and 67%, 24%, and 58% for elevated GGT levels, respectively. Similar effects were observed for the interaction between BD and abdominal obesity. Conclusions Obesity aggravated the odds of elevated liver AST and GGT levels in HIBD.