Gender differences in the association between hyperuricemia and diabetic kidney disease in community elderly patients

To investigate gender differences of the associations between hyperuricemia and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on electronic health records (EHR).

A total of 20,207 older diabetic patients (mean age 71±7years) were investigated based on the EHR from 2012 to 2013 in the Minhang District of Shanghai-China. The status of hyperuricemia, albuminuric DKD and the odds ratios of DKD relative to hyperuricemia were analyzed among 8541 men and 11,666 women.

The overall rate of hyperuricemia was 20.5% (males: 17.2%, females: 23.0%) and that of albuminuric DKD was 36.2% (males: 32.2%, female: 39.1%) in these diabetic patients. Hyperuricemia was independently associated with increased risk of reduced renal function and albuminuria (p<0.001) in both genders. After adjustment of traditional DKD risk factors, hyperuricemia had a stronger association with albuminuric DKD in males (OR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.48-1.88) than in females (OR 1.23, 95% CI: 1.12-1.35).

This study showed an independent association of hyperuricemia with albuminuric DKD that was stronger in elderly males for the first time in China based on EHR. The level of uric acid should be monitored and managed in older diabetic patients.