[Serum uric acid and factor VII hyperactivity in the elderly]

To study the relationship between serum uric acid, lipid fractions, and coagulation factor VII (FVII) in the elderly, we measured FVII coagulation activity (FVIIc). FVII antigen (FVIIag), in 138 normal subjects without alcohol intake ranging in age from 60 to 98 years. We also measured blood lipid fractions including apolipoprotein A-I, A-II, B, E, and serum cholinesterase activity (ChE). Serum uric acid levels significantly correlated with FVIIc (p less than 0.01) and FVIIag levels (p less than 0.05) as well as with tryglycerides, VLDL, LDL, total cholesterol, and ChE in elderly men, but not in women. However, multiple regression analysis showed these correlations in elderly men were not significant, after excluding the effect of triglycerides and VLDL. These results also suggest that elevation of uric acid may be a coronary risk factor in elderly men through high FVII levels.