Evacuation after the Great East Japan Earthquake is an independent factor associated with hyperuricemia: The Fukushima Health Management Survey.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: On March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred in Japan, with a nuclear accident subsequently occurring at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The disaster forced many evacuees to change particular aspects of their lifestyles. This study assessed the association between evacuation and hyperuricemia based on the Fukushima Health Management Survey from a lifestyle and socio-psychological perspective. METHODS AND RESULTS: This cross-sectional study included 22,812 residents (9391 men and 13,297 women) who underwent both the Comprehensive Health Check and the Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey in fiscal year 2011. Associations between hyperuricemia and lifestyle- and disaster-related factors including evacuation were estimated using a logistic and liner regression analysis. With hyperuricemia defined as uric acid levels >7.0 mg/dL for men and >6.0 mg/dL for women, significant associations were observed between evacuation and hyperuricemia in men (the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio 1.20, 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.36, p = 0.005), but not in women. In the multivariate-adjusted multiple liner regression analysis, evacuation had significant and positive associations with uric acid levels both in men (ß = 0.084, p = 0.002) and women (ß = 0.060, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Evacuation after a natural disaster is an independent factor associated with hyperuricemia.

Hyperuricemia in systemic lupus erythematosus: is it associated with the neuropsychiatric manifestations of the disease?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between hyperuricemia and different neuropsychiatric manifestations and stroke risk factors in systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. METHODS: This study was conducted on 204 SLE patients who were admitted to a tertiary referral center. A standardized questionnaire was completed for all the participants and the medical records were reviewed regarding the occurrence of arterial or venous thrombotic events, stroke, seizure, depression, headache, psychosis, and peripheral neuropathy. In addition blood samples were drawn to obtain serum uric acid, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels. RESULTS: Hyperuricemia (serum uric acid ≥6mg/dl for women and ≥7mg/dl for men) was detected in 16.1% of SLE patients and was significantly associated with the occurrence of stroke (OR, 2.38; 95%CI, 1.2-7.24), and peripheral neuropathy (OR, 3.49; 95% CI, 1.52-12.23), independent of hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Hyperuricemia was also significantly associated with hypertension (OR, 7.76; 95% CI, 2.72-15.76), hyperlipidemia (OR, 5.05; 95% CI, 1.59-11.32), and history of arterial thrombosis (OR, 4.95; 95% CI, 1.98-15.34), independent of age and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperuricemia in SLE patients is independently associated with the occurrence of stroke and peripheral neuropathy. It is also independently associated with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and history of arterial thrombosis, which are the major stroke and myocardial infarction risk factors in SLE patients.

Hyperuricemia in systemic lupus erythematosus: is it associated with the neuropsychiatric manifestations of the disease? / Hiperuricemia no lúpus eritematoso sistêmico: está associada a manifestações neuropsiquiátricas da doença?

ABSTRACT Objectives: To assess the association between hyperuricemia and different neuropsychiatric manifestations and stroke risk factors in systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Methods: This study was conducted on 204 SLE patients who were admitted to a tertiary referral center. A standardized questionnaire was completed for all the participants and the medical records were reviewed regarding the occurrence of arterial or venous thrombotic events, stroke, seizure, depression, headache, psychosis, and peripheral neuropathy. In addition blood samples were drawn to obtain serum uric acid, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels. Results: Hyperuricemia (serum uric acid ≥6 mg/dl for women and ≥7 mg/dl for men) was detected in 16.1% of SLE patients and was significantly associated with the occurrence of stroke (OR, 2.38; 95%CI, 1.2-7.24), and peripheral neuropathy (OR, 3.49; 95% CI, 1.52-12.23), independent of hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Hyperuricemia was also significantly associated with hypertension (OR, 7.76; 95% CI, 2.72-15.76), hyperlipidemia (OR, 5.05; 95% CI, 1.59-11.32), and history of arterial thrombosis (OR, 4.95; 95% CI, 1.98-15.34), independent of age and body mass index. Conclusions: Hyperuricemia in SLE patients is independently associated with the occurrence of stroke and peripheral neuropathy. It is also independently associated with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and history of arterial thrombosis, which are the major stroke and myocardial infarction risk factors in SLE patients.

RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar a associação entre a hiperuricemia e diferentes manifestações neuropsiquiátricas e os fatores de risco para AVE em pacientes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES). Métodos: Este estudo foi feito em 204 pacientes com LES que foram internados em um centro de referência de atenção terciária. Todos os participantes preencheram um questionário padronizado e os prontuários médicos foram analisados quanto à ocorrência de eventos trombóticos arteriais ou venosos, acidente vascular encefálico, convulsão, depressão, cefaleia, psicose e neuropatia periférica. Além disso, foram coletadas amostras de sangue para se mensurarem os níveis de ácido úrico, triglicerídeos (TG), lipoproteínas de alta densidade (HDL), lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL) e colesterol total do sangue. Resultados: A hiperuricemia (ácido úrico sérico ≥ 6 mg/dL para mulheres e ≥ 7 mg/dL para homens) foi detectada em 16,1% dos pacientes com LES e esteve significativamente associada à ocorrência de AVE (OR, 2,38; IC 95%, 1,2-7,24) e neuropatia periférica (OR, 3,49; IC 95%, 1,52-12,23), independentemente da hipertensão arterial e da hiperlipidemia. A hiperuricemia também esteve significativamente associada à hipertensão arterial (OR, 7,76; IC 95%, 2,72-15,76), hiperlipidemia (OR, 5,05; IC 95%, 1,59-11,32) e história de trombose arterial (OR, 4,95; 95% CI, 1,98-15,34), independentemente da idade e do índice de massa corporal. Conclusões: A hiperuricemia em pacientes com LES está independentemente associada à ocorrência de acidente vascular encefálico e neuropatia periférica. Também está independentemente associada à hipertensão, hiperlipidemia e história de trombose arterial, que são os principais fatores de risco para acidente vascular encefálico e infarto agudo do miocárdio em pacientes com LES.

Overview of Serum Uric Acid Treatment Targets in Gout: Why Less Than 6 mg/dL?

Gout is a progressive, painful, debilitating form of inflammatory arthritis. It is caused by factors that elevate the concentration of serum uric acid (sUA), leading to hyperuricemia (sUA >6.8 mg/dL). Continued elevated sUA can result in monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition in joints and soft tissues, and can cause acute and chronic inflammation. The prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout has increased over the last few decades, likely due to an aging population, changes in lifestyles and diet, and an increase in gout-associated comorbidities. Untreated or improperly treated gout can lead to chronic manifestation of the disease, including persistent inflammation, increased number of flares, development of tophi, and structural joint damage. Data show that even when patients are asymptomatic, ongoing inflammation and subsequent damage occurs locally at the joint and systemically. The aim of long-term treatment of gout is to reduce sUA levels to <6 mg/dL, which is below the saturation point of MSU (6.8 mg/dL), to inhibit formation of new crystals and to promote dissolution of existing crystals. Gout treatment should improve disease outcomes by eliminating gout flares, inducing long-term resolution of tophi, and more effectively managing comorbidities, many of which are associated with hyperuricemia. A number of studies have demonstrated that treating to the target of <6 mg/dL, by using effective therapies to lower sUA, results in reduction in the incidence of gout flares as well as shrinkage and eventual disappearance of tophi. Gout is often poorly managed due to a number of factors including lack of physician and patient adherence to treatment guidelines. Patients need to be educated about their diagnosis and management of the disease, such as the influence of diet and the importance of compliance with long-term treatment. With treatment, regular sUA monitoring, and patient adherence, gout is a curable disease.

Uric acid: friend or foe? Uric acid and cognitive function "Gout kills more wise men than simple".

OBJECTIVE: The association between hyperuricemia and cardiovascular risk is widely known, and hyperuricemia is associated with many pathological conditions due to its effect on the endothelial function and metabolic homeostasis. The aim of this study was to verify whether the available literature may support the hypothesis that uric acid has a protective and stimulating effect on the cerebral cortex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the actual knowledge of the positive effects of uric acid in terms of antioxidant action, neuroprotection, cognitive function, and intellectual performance. CONCLUSIONS: Uric acid has a stimulating effect on the cerebral cortex, and this could have allowed humans, compared with other animals, to develop higher brain mass volume, better intellectual performances, and maybe evolutionary supremacy. On the other, a growing body of evidence is accumulating on the independent association between uric acid and cardiovascular risk. A careful interpretation of uric acid levels is appropriate and necessary in different kinds of patients, both at risk of cardiovascular or neurodegenerative diseases, due to its contrasting significance.

The relation of uric acid to brain atrophy and cognition: the Rotterdam Scan Study.

BACKGROUND: Uric acid has been associated with focal vascular brain disease. However, it is unknown whether uric acid also relates to global brain changes such as brain atrophy. We therefore studied the relation of uric acid to brain atrophy and whether this is accompanied by worse cognitive function. METHODS: In 814 persons of the population-based Rotterdam Study (mean age 62.0 years), we studied the relation of uric acid levels to brain tissue atrophy and cognition using linear regression models adjusted for age, sex and putative confounders. Brain atrophy was assessed using automated processing of magnetic resonance imaging. Cognition was assessed using a validated neuropsychological test battery and we computed compound scores of cognitive domains. RESULTS: Higher uric acid levels were associated with white matter atrophy [difference in Z-score of white matter volume per standard deviation increase in uric acid: -0.07 (95% CI: -0.12; -0.01)], but not with gray matter atrophy. This was particularly marked when comparing hyperuricemic to normouricemic persons [Z-score difference: -0.27 (-0.43; -0.11)]. Worse cognition was primarily found in persons with hyperuricemia [-0.28 (-0.48; -0.08)]. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperuricemia is related to white matter atrophy and worse cognition.

[Psychophysiological signs of hyperuricemy in military personnel].

It was shown that concentration of uric acid in blood is dependent on person's neurotic type. People combining high working potential, assertions and work concentration with continuous hypersympathycotonia exhibit psychosomatic predisposition and are at risk of cardiovascular pathology. Neuromuscular relaxation and cognitive-behavior training can be recommended to prevent cardiovascular disorders.

[Results of experimental study of psychophysiological state and hematological characteristics in servicemen presenting with hyperuricemia].

Laboratory, clinical, and pathophysiological methods were used to examine servicemen presenting with hyperuricemia. Pronounced hypersympaticotony was accompanied by stabilization of cardiac rhythm. Neurotic personality profile was identified in 48% of the subjects, psychotic in 17.3%, and undefined in 34.6%. The elevated plasma uric acid level was shown to be a factor associated with the neurotic psychotype. There was no correlation between other hematological characteristics and personality psychotype. The examined subjects exhibited high working capacity and level of ambition. Inability to take mind off the pressure of work creates psychosomatic predisposition for and risk of cardiovascular pathology strengthened by permanent hypersympaticotony. It is proposed to teach the subjects like those included in the study to reach neuromuscular relaxation in combination with cognitive-behavioural training as a means of preventing the development of cardiovascular pathology.

Cerebral ischemia mediates the effect of serum uric acid on cognitive function.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: High normal concentrations of serum uric acid (UA) are associated with mild cognitive dysfunction and increased cerebral ischemia as indexed by white matter hyperintensity volumes. We hypothesized that individual differences in white matter hyperintensities mediate the association between UA and mild cognitive dysfunction. METHODS: One hundred eighty community-dwelling adults aged 20 to 96 years completed neuropsychological testing, laboratory blood studies, and a brain MRI scan. RESULTS: Serum UA was associated (P<0.05) with greater white matter hyperintensities and poorer working memory, processing speed, fluency, and verbal memory. Associations remained after controlling for age, sex, race, education, hypertension, diabetes, alcohol abuse, smoking, and body mass. Adding a term for white matter hyperintensity attenuated these associations such that UA no longer predicted cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS: Severity of cerebral ischemia might mediate the association between UA and cognitive dysfunction. Even mild elevations in UA appear to contribute to structural and functional brain changes.