RESUMO
The most common form of inflammatory arthritis is gout and is typically characterized by hyperuricemia and monosodium urate crystal deposition predominantly in the joints and the urinary tract. High plasma uric acid (UA) is a precipitating factor for gout, renal calculi, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. The main causes for higher plasma UA are higher synthesis, lower excretion or both. The triglycerides synthesis in the liver is associated with the de novo synthesis of purine, increasing uric acid production. The role played by diet on hyperuricemia has not yet been fully understood, but high intake of alcohol mainly beer and fructose-rich industrialized food seem to influence uric acid production. In developed countries, over the past two decades, the prevalence of gout and hyperuricemia has increased, and research has become progressively more actively carried out in those areas. Although >600 related clinical studies have been published to date regarding gout and hyperuricemia, the quality of care for gout and hyperuricemia remains suboptimal. Hyperuricemia is a risk factor for many diseases that has been poorly researched, in and around Pondicherry in both rural and urban population and its prevalence is largely unknown.METHODSThis is a cross sectional survey involving 100 subjects. 0.5 mL of random blood sample was collected, and serum uric acid was determined by auto analyser method.RESULTSThe uric acid level in rural population area was higher by 9 % when compared to urban population. The mean serum uric acid was higher in rural population. (9.32±1.073).CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of hyperuricemia is high in rural area in this study. There is a need for more research considering implications. Long term follow-up is needed. Proper control of uric acid to less than 6 mg % is the main aim to prevent comorbidities. Patient education is very important.