Serum uric acid is an independent predictor for all major forms of cardiovascular death in 28,613 elderly women: A prospective 21-year follow-up study

BackgroundThe link between elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD)–related mortality in the elderly population remains inconclusive. Nutritional status influences both SUA and CVD outcomes. Therefore, we investigated whether SUA‐predicted mortality and the effect‐modifying roles of malnourishment in older people.Methods and ResultsA longitudinal Taiwanese cohort including 127 771 adults 65 years and older participating in the Taipei City Elderly Health Examination Program from 2001 to 2010 were stratified by 1‐mg/dL increment of SUA. Low SUA (<4 mg/dL) strata was categorized by malnourishment status defined as Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index <98, serum albumin <38 g/L, or body mass index <22 kg/m2. Study outcomes were all‐cause and CVD‐related mortality. Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of mortality, after adjusting for 20 demographic and comorbid covariates. Over a median follow‐up of 5.8 years, there were 16 439 all‐cause and 3877 CVD‐related deaths. Compared with the reference SUA strata of 4 to <5 mg/dL, all‐cause mortality was significantly higher at SUA <4 mg/dL (HR, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–1.25) and ≥8 mg/dL (HR, 1.13; confidence interval, 1.06–1.21), with progressively elevated risks at both extremes. Similarly, increasingly higher CVD‐related mortality was found at the SUA level <4 mg/dL (HR, 1.19; confidence interval, 1.00–1.40) and ≥7 mg/dL (HR, 1.17; confidence interval, 1.04–1.32). Remarkably, among the low SUA (<4 mg/dL) strata, only malnourished participants had greater all‐cause and CVD‐related mortality. This modifying effect of malnourishment remained consistent across subgroups.Conclusions SUA ≥8 or <4 mg/dL independently predicts higher all‐cause and CVD‐related mortality in the elderly, particularly in those with malnourishment.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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U‐Shaped Association Between Serum Uric Acid Levels With Cardiovascular and All‐Cause Mortality in the Elderly: The Role of Malnourishment

Tseng

Chen

et al. 2018

JAHA

119

Hyperuricemia and coronary heart disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Guevara

Arthritis Care & Research

et al. 2010

447

397

BACKGROUND The role of serum uric acid as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease remains unclear although hyperuricemia is associated with cardiovascular disease such as coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and hypertension. METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis using a random-effects model was conducted to determine the risk of CHD associated with hyperuricemia in adults. Studies of hyperuricemia and CHD were identified by searching major electronic databases using the Medical Subject Headings and keywords without language restriction (through February 2009). Only prospective cohort studies were included if they had data on CHD incidences or mortalities related to serum uric acid levels in adults. RESULTS 26 eligible studies of 402,997 adults were identified. Hyperuricemia was associated with an increased risk of CHD incidence (unadjusted risk ratio (RR) 1.34; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19-1.49) and mortality (unadjusted RR 1.46; 95% CI 1.20-1.73). When adjusted for potential confounding, the pooled RR was 1.09 (95% CI: 1.03-1.16) for CHD incidence and 1.16 (95% CI: 1.01-1.30) for mortality. For each increase of 1 mg/dl in uric acid level, the pooled multivariate RR for CHD mortality was 1.12 (95% CI: 1.05-1.19). Subgroup analyses showed no significant association between hyperuricemia and CHD incidence/mortality in men, but an increased risk for CHD mortality in women (RR 1.67; 95% CI: 1.30-2.04). CONCLUSION Hyperuricemia may marginally increase the risk of CHD events, independently of traditional CHD risk factors. A more pronounced increased risk for CHD mortality in women should be investigated in future research.

Hyperuricemia and risk of stroke: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Guevara

et al. 2009

Arthritis & Rheumatism

404

244

Objective. To assess the association between hyperuricemia and risk of stroke incidence and mortality because hyperuricemia is hypothesized to be a risk factor for stroke and other cardiovascular disease, but, to date, results from observational studies are conflicting. Methods. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Studies were identified by searching major electronic databases using the Medical Subject Headings and keywords without restriction in languages. Prospective cohort studies were included only if they contained data on stroke incidences or mortalities related to serum uric acid levels in adults. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) for the association of stroke incidence and mortality with serum uric acid levels were calculated. Results. A total of 16 studies including 238,449 adults were eligible and abstracted. Hyperuricemia was associated with a significantly higher risk of both stroke incidence (6 studies; RR 1.41, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.05, 1.76) and mortality (6 studies; RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.03, 1.69) in our meta-analyses of unadjusted study estimates. Subgroup analyses of studies adjusting for known risk factors such as age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cholesterol still showed that hyperuricemia was significantly associated with both stroke incidence (4 studies; RR 1.47, 95% CI 1.19, 1.76) and mortality (6 studies; RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.12, 1.39). The pooled estimate of multivariate RRs did not differ significantly by sex. Conclusion. Hyperuricemia may modestly increase the risks of both stroke incidence and mortality. Future research is needed to determine whether lowering uric acid level has any beneficial effects on stroke.