The Presence of Hyperhomocysteinemia Does Not Aggravate the Cardiometabolic Risk Imposed by Hyperuricemia in Young Individuals: A Retrospective Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Little research has been conducted into the effects of the combined manifestation of hyperuricemia and hyperhomocysteinemia on cardiometabolic risk factors and markers in young subjects.

METHODS

1298 males and 1402 females, 14-to-20-year-olds, were classified into four groups: 1/normouricemic/normohomocysteinemic, 2/normouricemic/hyperhormohomocysteinemic, 3/hyperuricemic/normohomocysteinemic, and 4/hyperuricemic/hyperhomocysteinemic. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, plasma glucose, insulin, lipids, markers of renal function, C-reactive protein, asymmetric dimethylarginine, and blood counts were determined.

RESULTS

Hyperuricemic males (but not females) had higher odds for hyperhomocysteinemia than normouricemic ones (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.4-2.3; p < 0.001). Homocysteine and uric acid levels correlated directly (males: r = 0.076, females: r = 0.120; p < 0.01, both). Two-factor analysis of variance did not reveal a significant impact of hyperhomocysteinemia on any of the investigated cardiometabolic variables in females; in males, hyperuricemia and hyperhomocysteinemia showed a synergic effect on asymmetric dimethylarginine levels. Among four groups, subjects concurrently manifesting hyperuricemia and hyperhomocysteinemia did not presented the highest continuous metabolic syndrome score-a proxy measure of cardiometabolic risk; neither the multivariate regression model indicated a concurrent significant effect of uric acid and homocysteine on continuous metabolic syndrome score in either sex.

CONCLUSION

In young healthy subjects, hyperhomocysteinemia does not aggravate the negative health effects imposed by hyperuricemia.