Serum uric acid/creatinine ratio and osteoporosis in the elderly: a NHANES study

Osteoporosis (OP) is a metabolic bone disorder that is of significant concern to the elderly. However, few studies have investigated the correlation between the serum uric acid to creatinine ratio (UA/Cr) and OP in elderly individuals. This research seeks to examine the connection between UA/Cr levels and OP in older adults.

Data on participant information for the study was obtained from four cycles of the NHANES database. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to examine the correlation between UA/Cr and OP, adjusting for potential confounders such as age, gender, and race. The diagnostic efficacy of UA/Cr for OP was evaluated utilizing ROC curves.

Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that serum UA/Cr levels were significantly lower in individuals with OP than in those without OP. (OR = 0.83 [0.76, 0.91], P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses indicated a stronger association in men (OR = 0.77 [0.64, 0.94], P = 0.009) and women (OR = 0.85 [0.76, 0.95], P < 0.003). Furthermore, multivariable logistic regression analyses by ethnicity revealed that this association was significant solely among Non-Hispanic Whites (OR = 0.78 [0.68, 0.90], P < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for UA/Cr in predicting OP was higher than that for SUA alone, indicating superior predictive value.

A higher UA/Cr level within the normal range is associated with a lower risk of OP, providing insights for its diagnosis and risk assessment.