Association between uric acid and cardiovascular risk variables in a non-hospitalized population

The association between uric acid (UA) and cardiovascular risk variables remains a controversial issue in epidemiological studies.

To evaluate the association between UA, blood pressure (BP), anthropometric indices and metabolic variables in a non-hospitalized population stratified by UA quintiles.

A cross-sectional observational study evaluated 756 individuals (369 males), aged 50.3 ± 16.12 years, divided in UA quintiles. BP, body mass index (BMI), abdominal circumference (AC), UA, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol (TC), LDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides (TG) and creatinine (C) levels were obtained. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated and arterial hypertension (AH) was considered when BP > 140x90 mmHg, overweight/obesity (OW/O) was considered when BMI > 25 kg/m² and metabolic syndrome (MS) was established according to the I Brazilian Guideline of MS.

1) There was no difference between the groups regarding the distribution by sex and age range; 2) The highest UA quintiles presented higher mean age (p < 0.01), BMI, AC (p < 0.01), SBP, DBP (p < 0.001), TC, LDL-c, TG (p < 0.01), C and eGFR (p < 0.001) and lower mean HDL-c (p < 0.001); 3) The group with the highest UA quintile showed higher prevalence of AH, OW/O and MS (p < 0.001); 4) Higher percentages of the lowest quintiles of insulin (p < 0.02) and HOMA-IR (p < 0.01) were observed with the lowest quintiles of UA; 5) A logistic regression analysis showed that UA and the variables that compose MS were associated with the occurrence of MS (p < 0.01).

Higher quintiles of uric acid were associated with a worse cardiovascular risk profile and a worse kidney function profile in the non-hospitalized population sample studied.