The Relationship between Serum Uric Acid and Ankle Brachial Index in Korean Men

BACKGROUND: Elevated serum uric acid (UA) level is a known risk factor for atherosclerotic diseases, including peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD is easily diagnosed by determining the ankle-brachial index (ABI). The relationship between serum UA and subclinical atherosclerotic diseases remains controversial. We therefore aimed to explore an independent association between UA and ABI in healthy Korean men.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 664 male participants aged ≥19 years who visited our Center for Health Promotion. The ABI and serum UA were determined for all participants and the relationship between these parameters and between ABI and other variables was assessed with the Pearson correlation coefficient. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine an independent correlation between serum UA and ABI after adjustment for certain variables. Analysis of covariance was employed to identify a trend in the ABI relative to UA quartiles.RESULTS: The ABI correlated inversely with UA and variables such as body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. UA showed an independent inverse correlation with the ABI after serial adjustment for these variables (β=−0.265, P < 0.001). A decreasing trend in the ABI was observed with increasing UA quartile (P < 0.001).CONCLUSION: UA shows an independent inverse correlation with ABI in healthy Korean men.

Correlation between Serum Uric Acid and Bone Mineral Content in Healthy Women

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by reduced bone mineral density and skeletal microstructural abnormalities. We investigated the correlation between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and bone mineral content (BMC) values as a surrogate marker of bone health. Additionally, we assessed whether the correlation, if any, was evident even after classifying the study population into two groups based on a diagnosis of obesity in these individuals.METHODS: This study included 936 women who visited the healthcare centers that participated in this study. Fasting blood samples were obtained from all women to measure SUA, BMC of the lumbar spine was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We evaluated the correlation between SUA and BMC in obese and non-obese groups.RESULTS: SUA concentration and BMC were positively correlated (β=0.257, P=0.001); however, this correlation was significant only in the obese group (β=0.203, P=0.001).CONCLUSION: SUA concentration and BMC are positively correlated in women diagnosed obesity.