PREVALENCE OF HYPERURICEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEART FAILURE

The aim of our study was to study prevalence and clinical importance of Hyperuricemia (HU) in patients with heart failure (HF). 126 patients with HF were involved in a study. Main group included 75 patients with HF and HU. 51 patients with HF without HU were included in the control group. All patients underwent to a standardized clinical evaluation, including physical examination, determination of NYHA class and laboratory studies; namely, full blood count, serum uric acid, creatinine and ferritin. Assessment of exercise capacity was performed using a 6-min walk test. Echocardiographic assessment included interventricular septum thickness, left ventricular systolic and diastolic dimensions, left ventricular diastolic function, posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass index and LVEF. Patients with HU had higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus than patients without HU. Patients with HU had significantly lower LVEF (38.2±7.0 and 44.5±5.1; respectively. P<0.05). No differences were recorded for body weight, diastolic blood pressure, platelets, serum creatinine, or presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patients with HU had significantly thicker IVS, than those without it (10.49±2.9 vs 10.93 ±1.64mm; respectively. P<0.006). LV mass index was larger in patients with HU (P<0.001); There were no significant differences in LV end-systolic (LVESd) and end-diastolic (LVEDd) dimensions. Additionally, there were no differences in LV diastolic functional parameters. In both groups was decreased average distance walked and percentage of expected distance for healthy persons. Study results point out that female gender, higher NYHA class, low level of LVEF, the presence of hyperuricemia, lower than normal eGFR predict lower exercise capacity. Presented study demonstrates high prevalence of HU in patients with chronic heart failure. Despite high prevalence, historically the meaning of HU was underestimated in patients with HF. Taken into account the clinical relevance, treatability, and independent association with reduced exercise capacity, it is highly recommended to define HU level in all the patients with chronic heart failure to avoid future complications.