Hyperuricemia Is Associated With Higher Mortality in Non-diabetic Heart Failure Patients

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Metabolic Diseases
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Hyperuricemia (HU) is linked to increased heart failure (HF) risk and poorer outcomes.
• Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) exhibit a higher prevalence of HU.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prognostic significance of HU in heart failure (HF) patients.
• To assess if the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) modifies the impact of HU on HF outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 538 ambulatory HF patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD).
• Follow-up until January 2021, with all-cause mortality as the primary endpoint.
• Cox regression analysis stratified by DM status, with HU defined as uric acid (UA) > 8.2 mg/dL.

Main Results:

• 40% of patients had HU (UA > 8.2 mg/dL).
• HU was associated with a 75% increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.75; P=0.003).
• This association persisted in non-DM patients (HR: 1.70; P=0.007) but not in DM patients, where the interaction between DM and UA was significant (P=0.04).

Conclusions:

• Diabetes mellitus (DM) influences the prognostic impact of hyperuricemia (HU) in chronic heart failure (HF).
• In HF patients without DM, HU is associated with a 70% increased risk of all-cause mortality compared to those with normal UA levels.
• The prognostic value of HU in HF appears diminished or altered in the presence of DM.