Association between serum uric acid and atrial fibrillation: a cross-sectional community-based study in China

Abstract

ObjectivesTo investigate the effects of gender on the association of serum uric acid (SUA) levels and atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence in a community-based Chinese population.SettingData were obtained from annual Jidong Oilfield employee and family member health checkups. The Jidong community is geographically located in Tangshan City in northern China.ParticipantsA total of 9078 residents were invited to take part in the survey and provided informed consents. Individuals without data of ECG or SUA were excluded, leaving 8937 residents in our study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresSUA was measured at baseline using the uricase-peroxidase method. Hyperuricaemia was defined as a SUA level >7.0 mg/dL in men and >5.7 mg/dL in women. AF was diagnosed based on ECG findings and/or any medical history of AF from referring physicians. The crude and independent association between SUA levels and AF prevalence was evaluated with logistic regression analysis.ResultsAF prevalence was 0.6% (53/8937). Participants with hyperuricaemia had a higher AF prevalence compared with those with normal SUA levels (1.1% vs 0.5%; P=0.02). Hyperuricaemia was correlated with AF after adjustment for various cardiovascular risk factors in all participants (P=0.03, OR 2.051, 95% CI 1.063 to 3.856). This correlation was particularly stronger in women compared with men (P<0.001, OR 6.366, 95% CI 2.553 to 15.871 in women and P=0.96, OR 1.025, 95% CI 0.400 to 2.626 in men).ConclusionsWe demonstrated a significant association between increased SUA levels and AF prevalence in a Chinese population. Our data indicate that there is a gender-specific mechanism underlying the relationship between SUA and AF.

Prevalence of hyperuricaemia in an Eastern Chinese population: a cross-sectional study

“…As a regional study, the prevalence of our result was similar to other regional investigations in China. [15][16][17][18] However, our prevalence was relatively lower than that in Qingdao, Shandong Province, which is close to the sea and where residents consume high amounts of seafood and beer. 28 Moreover, the prevalence of HUA in our population was lower than those in the USA and Japan, 12 29 which might be attributed to economic status.…”

“…15 In 2017, Chen et al found that the prevalence of HUA was 13.4% in Jidong community of Tangshan City in northern China. 16 In an elderly Chinese population of 7 areas, the overall prevalence of HUA was 13.1% in 2018. 17 Liu et al 18 also conducted a meta-analysis including 38 regional studies between 2000 and 2014 to determine the prevalence of HUA in mainland China.…”

Uric Acid and Cardiovascular Disease: An Update From Molecular Mechanism to Clinical Perspective

“…AF is the most common heart rhythm disorder, and its major risk factors include advanced age, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, HF, valvular heart disease, and MI. In recent years, numerous clinical studies have confirmed that hyperuricemia is associated with AF after adjusting for various cardiovascular risk factors, and the correlation is stronger in women than in men (Liang et al, 2016;Zhang et al, 2016;Chen et al, 2017;Kuwabara et al, 2017c;Mantovani et al, 2018;Pak et al, 2018;Black-Maier and Daubert, 2019;Lin et al, 2019). The bases for sex-related differences in high UA and AF or CHD remains unknown.…”

A Study of Cardiogenic Stroke Risk in Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients

“…SUA is the final product of purine metabolism catalyzed by xanthine oxidase, which plays an important role in the formation of free radical superoxide anion and oxidative stress, consequently resulting in calcium overload and decreasing sodium channels and aggravating cellular damage (8)(9)(10). These pathological processes promote electrical remodeling and structural remodeling of the left atrium, leading to an increase of its size and contribute to the occurrence and development of AF (11)(12)(13)(14)(15). High SUA level is an independent risk factor for stroke and cardiovascular death (16)(17)(18)(19).…”