Serum uric acid level as a determinant of the metabolic syndrome: A case control study

To determine whether elevations of uric acid levels are associated with the cluster of disorders described in metabolic syndrome and to evaluate whether hyperuricemia may be considered a component of this syndrome.

One year case-control study was conducted in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India from January to December 2013. The study population consisted of 200 subjects, 100 with metabolic syndrome (case) and 100 without metabolic syndrome (control) aged between 18 and 80 years, attending OPD at PBM Hospital were studied. Controls were age and sex matched to the cases. Blood tests and all physical variables were examined using standard methods. Subjects were divided into 6 groups according to their possession of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 components of the metabolic syndrome. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA, linear regression analysis and multivariate linear regression model.

Mean serum UA level was significantly associated with all components of metabolic syndrome (p<0.001) and had strong positive correlation (r=+0.66 to +0.77, p<0.0001) with all of them except serum HDL with which it showed strong negative correlation(r=-0.71, p<0.0001). It increased as the number of metabolic factors increased showing a highly significant trend (p<0.0001). On multivariate regression analysis UA contributed to 66.84% variance of metabolic syndrome.

The current multivariate regression analysis clearly infers that uric acid can be considered as a marker and potential modifier of metabolic syndrome.