[Management of hypo-uricemia (author's transl)]

Hypo-uricemia (under 120 mumol/L) is not uncommon (1% of the population). Two main mechanisms are responsible (abnormal synthesis and anomalies in renal excretion), but there are a great number of possible etiologies. Except for states of stress or distress (30%), etiology focuses on drugs (60%), mainly aspirin. Malignant disease, particularly myeloma and broncho-pulmonary carcinoma which can be revealed by hypo-uricemia, are much less frequent. Genetically determined cases are uncommon. The diagnostic approach for finding the etiology should be physiopathological and focused on a simple test : uric acid clearance.