Hyperuricemia and cardiovascular risk factor clustering in a screened cohort in Okinawa, Japan

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Clinical Biochemistry

Background:

• The relationship between serum uric acid levels and cardiovascular risk factors is complex and primarily studied in men.
• Understanding this association in both genders is crucial for comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between serum uric acid levels and key cardiovascular risk factors including obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus (DM).
• To examine these associations in a large cohort of both men and women in Okinawa, Japan.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 9,914 individuals (6,163 men, 3,751 women) screened at the Okinawa General Health Maintenance Association.
• Hyperuricemia defined as serum uric acid ≥7.0 mg/dl (men) and ≥6.0 mg/dl (women).
• Calculation of odds ratios for hyperuricemia in relation to obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypo-HDL cholesterolemia, and DM.

Main Results:

• Hyperuricemia showed positive associations with obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia in both men and women.
• Hyperuricemic subjects exhibited a higher prevalence of coexisting cardiovascular risk factors compared to non-hyperuricemic individuals.
• A significant clustering of cardiovascular risk factors was observed in hyperuricemic individuals.

Conclusions:

• Hyperuricemia is positively associated with obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia in both genders.
• Hyperuricemic individuals are more likely to present with a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors.
• These findings emphasize the role of hyperuricemia as a potential marker for increased cardiovascular risk.