Hyperuricemia in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis

Psoriasis is frequently associated with obesity, which may favor the development of hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia predisposes patients to gout arthritis and is an emerging cardiovascular risk factor. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of hyperuricemia and serum uric acid (SUA) levels in psoriatic patients. SUA was measured in consecutive psoriatic patients (n = 338) and prevalence of hyperuricemia was estimated. Hyperuricemia was defined as SUA ≥7 mg/dL in men and ≥6 mg/dL in women. Hyperuricemia affected 20% (67 out 338) of patients with psoriasis. SUA levels were 5.8 ± 1.6 (mean ± SD) in patients with psoriasis. Levels of SUA were significantly higher in obese patients compared to non-obese patients (6.1 ± 1.5 vs 5.2 ± 1.4, P < 0.05). Levels of SUA showed a significant, positive correlation with body mass index (r = 0.30; P < 0.01) and serum triglycerides (r = 0.31; P < 0.01) but they were not significantly associated with age, sex, psoriasis duration or Psoriasis Area Severity Index score. Hyperuricemia is a common finding in psoriatic patients. Dosing levels of SUA could be appropriate in the global management of patients with psoriasis, particularly in those who are obese and with serum triglycerides upper the normal range.