Serum uric acid level and related clinical features in neuromyelitis optica / 中华内科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate serum uric acid (UA) levels and related clinical characteristics of neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Methods The serum uric acid levels were measured in 65 patients with NMO, compared to control groups which were 76 cases with multiple sclerosis ( MS), 126 cases with cerebral vascular diseases (CVD) and 130 healthy controls(HC). The disability severity in NMO was assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) was performed to strengthen assessment the involved lesions. Serum AQP4 antibody was tested in a cell based immunofluorescence assay. Results In male groups, serum UA levels in NMO patients [ (298.90±74.14) μmol/L] were significantly lower than that in CVD [ (355.37 ±50. 30) μmol/L] and HC subjects [ (340.33 ± 58.23 ) μmol/L, P ＜ 0.05 ]. No difference was found between NMO and MS [ ( 292.36 ±92.95) μmol/L] groups. In female groups, serum UA levels in NMO patients [(198.21 ± 62.62)μmol/L] were significantly lower than that in CVD [(274.51 ± 70.66) μmol/L] and HC subjects [(243.26 ±60.65) μmol/L,P ＜0.05]. No difference was found between NMO and MS [(232.29 ±71.95 ) μmol/L ] groups. UA levels were significantly lower in females [ ( 198.21 ± 62. 62) μ mol/L] than in males [ (298.90 ±74.14) μmol/L]. UA levels were significantly lower in patients with EDSS≥5 [ ( 195.48 ± 83.70 )μmol/L] than EDSS ＜ 5 [ (241.00 ± 63.20)μmol/L] NMO patients. In our study UA levels were not correlated with longitude of spinal lesions, activity revealed by MRI and AQP4 antibody tires.Conclusion Lower serum UA levels were found in patients with NMO and related to more severe symptoms.