Hyperuricemia and cardiovascular risk.

There is an increasing prevalence of gout and hyperuricemia worldwide. Gout confers a significant individual and social burden and is increasingly recognized as a prevalent chronic disease state requiring appropriate long-term management. Gout and hyperuricemia appear to be independent risk factors for incident hypertension, renal disease and cardiovascular disease. Multiple epidemiologic studies confirm an association between hyperuricemia and "cardiometabolic disease". We review the evidence stating the relationship between hyperuricemia and the development of comorbid conditions contributing to cardiovascular risk and disease.