Serum Uric Acid in Roma and Non-Roma—Its Correlation with Metabolic Syndrome and Other Variables

Abstract

Background: The Roma population is one of the major marginalized groups in Europe, having higher incidence of all spectrums of disease and a shorter life expectancy. Yet, the reasons for higher morbidity and its exact prevalence were not properly studied. Objectives: The objective of our study was to compare the frequency of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Roma people to the non-Roma population in Slovakia, and to compare levels of uric acid and its correlation with components of metabolic syndrome. Methods: A group of 452 Roma people aged 18–55 years, was compared to a control group of 403 non-Roma people. The data were obtained by questionnaire, anthropometric measures, and analyzed blood and urine samples Results: The prevalence of MetS was significantly higher among Roma participants (131; 29.6%) compared with non-Roma participants (80; 20.1%), p = 0.001. Roma people significantly more often fulfilled obesity and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) criteria of MetS (257, 58.9% vs. 180, 45.8%, p < 0.0001, and 312, 70.0% vs. 140, 34.9%, p < 0.0001). There was no difference in the triacylglycerols (TG), glycemia or blood pressure (BP) criteria of MetS. The Roma also presented with greater levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Baseline levels of uric acid (UA) among the Roma population were significantly lower compared with the majority population (226.54 ± 79.8 vs. 259.11 ± 84.53) (p < 0.001). The levels of UA significantly correlated with fulfilled criteria of MetS. Univariate regression showed that UA is a significant predictor of MetS in the whole cohort (unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.005; 95% CI 1.004–1.007; p < 0.0001) also after the adjustment for age, sex, and ethnicity (adjusted OR 1.008; 95% CI 1.005–1.010; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: We were able to show that prevalence of MetS among the Roma is higher than in the majority population. Moreover, the uric acid levels are significantly lower in the Roma group as well as when it comes to a cohort with MetS. Levels of UA, besides others, depend on ethnicity, age, and sex.

The Different Relationship between Homocysteine and Uric Acid Levels with Respect to the MTHFR C677T Polymorphism According to Gender in Patients with Cognitive Impairment

“…There is evidence that sUA causes endothelial dysfunction and is, therefore, associated with renal and cardiovascular disease and mortality [1,4], although others have not found such independent associations [5,6]. UA can increase radical formation and inhibit the degradation of adenosine diphosphate, producing more stable platelet aggregates and an increased incidence of thrombosis in arterial disease, especially in the patients with hypertension and diabetes [7][8][9][10][11]. Similarly, serum homocysteine (sHcy) is also involved in the disruption of vascular integrity and is well recognized as an independent risk factor for osteoporosis-associated fractures and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases [12][13][14][15].…”

Roma Ethnicity and Sex-Specific Associations of Serum Uric Acid with Cardiometabolic and Hepatorenal Health Factors in Eastern Slovakian Population: The HepaMeta Study

“…They are associated with a significantly increased morbidity, overall disability, and premature mortality. Evidence suggests that cardiometabolic diseases are more prevalent among ethnic minorities [ 1 , 2 , 3 ].…”

“…The majority of the Roma people live in the eastern and southern parts of Slovakia. An increasing body of evidence suggests that the Roma population is at increased cardiovascular and metabolic risk [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]. Yet, the literature on novel biomarkers of cardiometabolic diseases in this population is scarce [ 2 ].…”

“…An increasing body of evidence suggests that the Roma population is at increased cardiovascular and metabolic risk [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]. Yet, the literature on novel biomarkers of cardiometabolic diseases in this population is scarce [ 2 ]. A high burden of noncommunicable cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in the Roma population highlights the need for further investigations of novel biomarkers that would facilitate the diagnosis and would also help develop culturally sensitive health literacy interventions and prevention programs among the vulnerable Roma patient groups.…”

“…The assessment of renal function is essential to manage and follow up the patients with metabolic syndrome. The current evidence indicates that there is a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the Roma population [ 2 ]. Moreover, previous studies have suggested that Roma compared to non-Roma have a 2.85 times higher risk of prevalence of end-stage renal disease [ 14 ], and Roma females have half-higher odds for nephropathy than non-Roma females [ 15 ].…”