# Latent class analysis of association between occupational hazard factors and gamma-glutamyltransferase in automobile manufacturing workers: a cross-sectional study

## TL;DR

This study finds that exposure to organic toxicants and noise in automobile manufacturing workers is linked to higher gamma-glutamyltransferase levels, a marker of liver health.

## Contribution

The study uses latent class analysis to categorize occupational hazards and identifies specific risk factors for elevated GGT levels in automobile workers.

## Key findings

- 129 workers (17.9%) had elevated serum GGT levels.
- Exposure to organic toxicants and noise was significantly associated with elevated GGT levels.
- Subgroup analysis showed higher risk for non-smoking and overweight-obese workers exposed to organic toxicants.

## Abstract

Workers in the automobile manufacturing industry are potentially exposed to various occupational hazards that may impact serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels.

This study aims to investigate the elevated serum GGT levels among workers in a automobile manufacturing plant and the impact of occupational hazards on GGT levels.

Based on occupational health examination data collected from April to December 2024 from automobile manufacturing plant workers, this study classified nine major occupational hazards into five classes based on latent class analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was then applied to identify factors associated with elevated GGT levels, followed by subgroup analysis.

129 workers (17.9%) in this automobile manufacturing plant had elevated serum GGT levels. Primary occupational hazard exposures were classified into five distinct classes using latent class analysis: Class 1: low exposure, Class 2: noise exposure, Class 3: organic toxicants exposures, Class 4: dust exposures and Class 5: noise and harmful gases exposures. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, workers exposed to organic toxicants or noise were significantly more likely to have elevated GGT levels, with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of 2.08 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09–4.16] and 2.65 (95% CI: 1.28–5.67), respectively. In subgroup analysis, workers exposed to Class 3 hazards in non-smoking and overweight-obese workers showed a significantly higher risk of elevated GGT levels, whereas workers exposed to Class 2 hazards showed a similar trend.

The prevalence of elevated serum GGT levels among workers in automobile manufacturing plants is relatively high. Organic toxicants and noise may affect workers' serum GGT levels.