Hyperuricaemia and its association with other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases: A population-based study.

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular diseases are very common in the general population, and several factors play a role in their development. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between hyperuricaemia and other cardiovascular disease risk factors.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1008 people over the 15-year-old general population in Kerman, Iran. The blood samples of all patients were analysed for the uric acid serum level, and they completed a checklist including physical activity, previous history of hypertension and diabetes, smoking and opium.

RESULTS

A number of 1008 cases of people were entered into the study. According to the results of this study, 254 patients had uric acid levels above the 75th percentile (6 mg/dl in males, and 5 mg/dl in females). No significant difference was observed between gender (p = .249) and age groups (p = .125) of people with and without hyperuricaemia. The prevalence of overweight/obesity (p < .001), hypertension (p = .004) and low physical activity (p = .033) was significantly higher in patients with hyperuricaemia. The duration of hypertension was significantly higher in hyperuricaemic individuals (p = .022). Overweight/obesity (OR = 2.67; 95% CI = 1.87-3.82) and hypertension (OR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.02-1.93) were two significant independent factors that contributed to the increased risk of hyperuricaemia in the subjects.

CONCLUSION

The uric acid serum level is higher in people with hypertension and overweight/obesity. Hyperuricaemia increases the risk of cardiovascular events, which can be prevented by determining the appropriate strategy for the early diagnosis and treatment of this metabolic disorder.