Relationship between Serum Uric Acid and Metabolic Syndrome

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although many studies have focused on the association of hyperuricemia with components of metabolic syndrome, there are only few studies of independent relation between uric acid and metabolic syndrome itself. In this study, we evaluated healthy subjects and assessed the relationship of serum uric acid with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Between January and February of 2005, we evaluated 164 healthy patients who visited a health evaluation center. Patients were evaluated for metabolic syndrome and risk factors were assessed using a questionaire, blood test and physical examination. RESULTS: Metabolic risk factors significantly increased as uric acid level markedly increased (P<0.05). Even after limiting the variables such as age, sex, smoking, exercise, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and LogCRP, the group with metabolic syndrome had markedly increased uric acid levels than those without metabolic syndrome [Odds ratio 1.494 (95% CI, 1.072~2.084)]. CONCLUSION: The number of components of metabolic syndrome increased according to serum uric acid level. Uric acid level was significantly higher in metabolic syndrome than normal. Even after considering health behavior variables such as smoking, alcohol status, and exercise, they showed an independent relationship. Further massive prospective studies on whether collecting serum uric acid level can be used as a screening test or predictor of mortality for early metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease will be needed.