Serum Uric Acid: Correlation with Biological, Clinical and Behavioral Factors in Japanese Men

Abstract

Cross-sectional associations between biological, clinical and behavioral factors and serum uric acid (SUA) levels were examined in 2,438 Japanese male office workers aged 20 to 59 years in Osaka, Japan. Stepwise regression analysis for SUA was carried out for all persons and repeated excluding those under medication for hypertension, hyperuricemia or diabetes mellitus. The results were essentially the same without change in the sequence of the seven most important variables. When 150 men under medication were excluded, independent correlates with SUA levels were, in order of relative importance, history of gout, log triglyceride, creatinine, hemoglobin A,. (negative association), body mass index, total protein, alcohol intake , age (negative association), and total cholesterol. 32.7 percent of total variation in SUA was accounted for by these variables combined. Our data suggest that weight and serum lipids control and avoiding excessive drinking may be beneficial in the prevention of hyperuricemia. J Epidemiol, 1999 ; 9 : 99-106 serum uric acid, correlates, cross-sectional study, Japanese men High serum uric acid (SUA) levels increase with the risk of having an acute attack of gout if SUA levels are high 1,2,3). Many epidemiological studies have investigated the distribution of SUA and its determinants in various populations 4-13). Obesity, alcohol consumption and use of diuretics are well established as determinants of SUA levels 2), but other biological and behavioral correlates are not fully understood. Epidemiological evidence regarding SUA is conflicting as to the relation to untreated hypertension and total cholesterol 4-12) . Diabetics generally have lower levels of SUA than non-diabetics 6-13), while higher levels of SUA have been observed among those with prediabetic status or impaired glucose tolerance 11-14). A few recent studies have suggested that creatinine is a major determinant of SUA levels 10,11,12), Furthermore, associations with coronary heart disease risk factors have been reported 1,2,4).Japanese dietary habits are characterized by a higher intake of carbohydrates and a lower intake of fat and protein than those in western countries 15,16,17) However, Japan has recently experienced drastic changes in dietary habits with the rapid westernization of lifestyle, and the intake of animal fat and protein and alcohol consumption have increased remarkably. According to the National Survey of Circulatory Disorders in 1990 18), the mean SUA concentration among male adults was estimated to be 5.6 mg/dl (standard deviation: 1.3 mg/dl) and only 4.2 percent of all observed SUA levels were 8.0 mg/dl or more. However, recent changes in lifestyle warrant concern .Although secondary prevention with the focus on diagnosis and treatment of hyperuricemia and gout is still the goal of current clinical efforts, long-term antihyperuricemic therapy carries both costs and risks 3,19). Therefore, the eventual public health goal should be the primary prevention of hyperuricemia .In this report on a cross-sectional po...

Management of Hypertension and Dyslipidaemia in Patients Presenting with Hyperuricaemia: Case Histories

“…Epidemiological studies have reported a strong relationship between high serum uric acid levels and serum creatinine, urea, glucose, haemoglobin A 1c (negative association), total protein, fibrinogen, body mass index, blood pressure, alcohol intake, age (negative association) and lipid abnormalities (total cholesterol and triglycerides) 28,29 . A positive correlation between serum uric acid and triglycerides has been consistently demonstrated 7,8,28,29 . 2.…”

Effects of cassia oil on serum and hepatic uric acid levels in oxonate-induced mice and xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase activities in mouse liver

“…It has been considered an important risk factor for gout and may be associated with development of such disorders as cardiovascular diseases, hyperglycemia/diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, renal failure, obesity, dyslipidemia, AIDs, cancer and increased mortality (Carlucci et al, 1996;Nakanishi et al, 1999;Iwatani et al, 2000;Tomita et al, 2000;Chen et al, 2001;Choi et al, 2004;Vazquez-Mellado et al, 2004). Therefore, there is an obvious need for novel agents or therapeutic strategies that could act on the physiological regulation of uric acid levels and prevention of uric acid-related diseases.…”

Effects of Biota orientalis extract and its flavonoid constituents, quercetin and rutin on serum uric acid levels in oxonate-induced mice and xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase activities in mouse liver

“…Clinically reported, the key factor uric acid is related not only to an increased risk of gout, but also to an increased risk of cardiovascular disorder, nephrolithiasis and diabetes (Nakanishi et al, 1999;Chen et al, 2001;Kuzuya et al, 2002;Shekarriz and Stoller, 2002;Spieker et al, 2002). Nowadays, it seems to be widely accepted that the control of the key factor may also be considered in the prevention and treatment of these diseases (Liote, 2003).…”