Dietary pattern and risk of hyperuricemia: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

The associations of posteriori dietary patterns with the risk of hyperuricemia (HUA) are contradictory. Several fair-quality observational studies with inconsistent results have been published following a prior review. Herein, we carried out an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to quantitatively analyze the aforementioned relationships.

Our analysis protocol has been registered with PROSPEPO (Number: CRD42022376745). English publications were searched in Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science from inception to January 1, 2024. Summary odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by a random-effects model. We also conducted subgroup, sensitivity, and meta-regression analyses and publication bias assessments.

Thirteen studies with a total of 163,192 participants were included in the current meta-analysis. Our finding revealed that the plant-based pattern was linked with a 17% decreased risk of HUA (OR = 0.83, 95%CI = 0.72-0.94, I = 72.9%, n = 10). There was no evidence of publication bias in the present analysis. The results of subgroup analyses were generally consistent with the main findings. In meta-regression analyses, no evidence of heterogeneity was detected in the subgroups. Furthermore, our analyses indicated that the animal-based food pattern (OR = 1.36, 95%CI = 1.25-1.47, I = 26.7%, n = 11) and sweet food pattern (OR = 1.24, 95%CI = 1.06-1.46, I = 0, n = 2) was related to an increased risk of HUA.

The plant-based pattern is inversely correlated with HUA risk, whereas animal-based food patterns and sweet food patterns are positively correlated with HUA risk.