Serum urate and cardiovascular events in the DCCT/EDIC study

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Cardiology
• Metabolic Diseases

Background:

• Hyperuricemia is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in type 2 diabetes.
• Associations between serum urate (SU) and cardiovascular outcomes in type 1 diabetes (T1D) are not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationships between SU concentrations, clinical/biochemical factors, and subsequent cardiovascular events in adults with T1D.
• To assess if SU is associated with concurrent MetS and incident CVD or major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 973 participants with T1D from the DCCT/EDIC cohort.
• SU levels measured once between 1997-2000.
• Follow-up through 2013 for incident CVD and MACE.

Main Results:

• SU levels were higher in men than women and associated with MetS features in both sexes.
• No association was found between SU quartiles and subsequent CVD or MACE.
• In women, SU as a continuous variable was associated with MACE, even after adjusting for age and HbA1c.

Conclusions:

• Predominantly normal SU concentrations in T1D are higher in men and associated with MetS features.
• Routine SU measurement for cardiovascular risk assessment in T1D is not currently warranted.
• Further research may be needed to clarify the role of SU in cardiovascular risk specifically in women with T1D.