Prevalence of hyperuricemia and relation of serum uric acid with cardiovascular risk factors.

Thesis Report.

ABSTRACT: The positive association between serum uric acid and cardiovascular diseases has been recognized since the 19th century. However, whether uric acid is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality is still disputed as several studies have suggested that hyperuricemia is merely associated with cardiovascular diseases because of confounding factors such as obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, use of diuretics and insulin resistance. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of hyperuricemia and association between uric acid levels and various cardiovascular risk factors. This crosssectional study based on random population visiting NPH included 199 patients aged 18 to 78 years. Individuals were classified as hyperuricemic and control on the basis of their serum uric acid level. Blood pressure, height, weight and lipid profile of each patient was measured. A questionnaire was prepared to record data regarding alcohol, smoking, diabetes and dietary habit. All the data were analyzed using SPSS 15.0 for windows. The total prevalence of hyperuricemia was 16.08% (18.9% in male and 7.8% in female). The prevalence was highest in the elderly and obese population. Serum uric acid was strongly related to gender (r=0.41) and serum TG (r=0.42). Uric acid levels were also significantly associated with BMI, DBP, use of antihypertensive therapy, TC, HDL-C and alcohol consumption. The study shows that prevalence of hyperuricemia is high among the male patients visiting NPH. Besides alcohol consumption and the use of antihypertensive therapy, mainly diuretics, serum uric acid is markedly associated with parameters of the metabolic syndrome, in particular serum triglycerides. Considering the potential link between hyperuricemia and cardiovascular complications, more emphasis should be put on the evolving prevalence of hyperuricemia in developing countries.

Eng.