Serum uric acid and weight reduction in obese subjects

ABSTRACT

One hundred thirty three obese patients [70 males and 63 females] were studied at the out patient clinic of the nutrition research institute from 1.8.1988 to 1.3.1989. They were matched and compared to a control group representing the slim population of the same area from where they were derived. Their serum uric [S.UA] values were found to be significantly higher than control group [P <0.005]. It was found- that the prevalence of hyperuricaemia was higher in obese patients [n= 19,14.3%] than controls [n=1 1,4.6%] in both sexes. At the same time male patients had a higher prevalence of hyperuricaemia [n=1 1,15.7%] than females [n=8,12.3%]. In both sexes, it was found that excess body weight in Kg was correlated significantly with S.U.A levels [r=0.39] [P - 0.005]. Also it was found that body weight in B.M.I unit correlated significantly with S.U.A levels [r=0.33] [P < 0.005]. The effect of the weight reduction program extended over 16 weeks was analyzed and it was found that it reduced S.U.A values in 117 patients [87. 9%] and in 19 hyperuricaemic patients in whom the reduction in the elevated S.U.A values was 100% to below the cut-off point. The drop in body weight [in both Kg. and in B.M.I unit] was correlated significantly with drop in S.U.A values [r=0.48 P <0.005]. Alcohol use has been found to have an effect toward raising S.U.A. values [P. <0.005] in both groups. the preyalence of hyperuricaemia in alcoholic patients was higher than non alcoholic patients [P < 0.005]. Smoking has been found to have no significant effect on the S.U.A value