Serum uric acid predicts incident metabolic syndrome in the elderly in an analysis of the Brisighella Heart Study

Abstract

Several epidemiological studies report a positive correlation between hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults, which hyperuricemic subjects seem to more easily develop. We aimed to verify if serum uric acid (SUA) concentrations were positively associated with MetS prevalence and middle-term (4-year) incidence in older overall healthy subjects. We also purposed to identify which SUA cut-off values could be functional in MetS diagnosis in addition to the traditionally used parameters. For this reason, we selected from the historical cohort of the Brisighella Heart Study 923 older healthy subjects repeatedly visited during the 2008 and 2012 population surveys. In our sample, MetS was more frequent for higher SUA concentrations rather than the population’s mean in both men [OR = 2.12, 95%C.I.(1.55, 2.90)] and women [OR = 2.69,95%C.I.(1.91, 3.78)]. ROC analysis showed SUA was predictive of MetS in the whole population [AUC = 0.647, 95%C.I.(0.609, 0.686), P = 0.000001] and in both sex subgroups [men: AUC = 0.592, 95%C.I.(0.529, 654); P = 0.004; women: AUC = 0.758, 95%C.I.(0.711, 0.806), P < 0.000001], even there were sex-related differences in the best cut-off values (5.5 mg/dL for men; 4.2 mg/dL for women). Prospectively, SUA appeared predictive of middle-term (4-year) MetS incidence in the whole population (AUC = 0.604, 95%C.I.[0.518, 0.690], P = 0.029, best cut-off value = 4.7 mg/dL) and in the female group (AUC = 0,641, 95%C.I.[0.519, 0.762], P = 0.039, best cut-off value = 3.9 mg/dL) though not in the male one (P > 0.05). In conclusion, in our cohort, SUA is a frequent component of MetS, other than a middle-term predictor of newly diagnosed MetS in older women.

Association between dyslipidemia and serum uric acid levels in Korean adults: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016-2017

“…Serum uric acid, previously known to have a beneficial effect as an oxygen radical scavenger [21], is now recognized to carry a vital role as the modulator of glucose and lipid metabolism [22], leading to observations that the breach of serum uric acid homeostasis may be associated with cardiovascular risk and all-cause mortality [22][23][24]. Current studies demonstrate the possibility of serum uric acid level as a predictor of incident metabolic syndrome [25] and, when combined with LDL-C, of incident hypertension [26]. However, the independent role of serum uric acid as a novel risk factor and a target for treatment regardless of the clinical history of gout has been a subject of debate.…”

A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Medium-Term Effects of Oat Fibers on Human Health: The Beta-Glucan Effects on Lipid Profile, Glycemia and inTestinal Health (BELT) Study

“…Trained personnel performed laboratory analyses according to standardized methods [15], immediately after centrifugation, to assess TC, HDL-C, TG, Apo-B, apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A1), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and liver transaminases. LDL-C was obtained by the Friedewald formula.…”

Role of non-lipid risk factors like hs-CRP, uric acid and thyroid stimulating hormone in metabolic syndrome

“…21,22 In a scientific report by Cicero AF et al, MetS was more frequent for higher SUA concentrations rather than the population's mean in both men and women. 23 Yuan H et al; in their meta-analysis, concluded that higher SUA levels led to an increased risk of MS regardless of the study characteristics, and were consistent with a linear dose-response relationship. In addition, SUA was also a causal factor for the non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) risk.…”