Is serum uric acid a predictive factor for stroke in men with hypertriglyceridemia?

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Hypertriglyceridemia is a metabolic condition characterized by elevated triglyceride levels.
• Elevated serum uric acid (sUA) is increasingly recognized as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular events.
• The relationship between sUA and stroke risk in hypertriglyceridemic men requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum uric acid levels and the risk of stroke in male patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
• To identify whether elevated sUA is a predictive factor for ischemic stroke in this specific population.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 265 male patients with hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride level ≥ 150 mg/dL) was studied between 2002 and 2012.
• Patients were stratified into two groups based on serum uric acid levels: ≥ 8 mg/dL and < 8 mg/dL.
• Clinical characteristics and stroke risk factors were recorded and compared between the groups; multivariate Cox proportional analyses were performed.

Main Results:

• The incidence of ischemic stroke was significantly higher in men with sUA ≥ 8 mg/dL compared to those with lower levels (p = 0.038).
• This increased risk was particularly notable in the 45-65 year age group.
• Multivariate analysis identified both age (p = 0.003) and sUA (p = 0.019) as significant predictors of stroke-free survival.

Conclusions:

• Serum uric acid levels ≥ 8 mg/dL are associated with a significantly increased incidence of ischemic stroke in men with hypertriglyceridemia.
• Hyperuricemia emerges as a potential predictive factor for ischemic stroke in this patient group.
• These findings highlight the potential need for preventive strategies targeting hyperuricemia in hypertriglyceridemic men, particularly those aged 45-65.