Determinants of serum uric acid levels and risk for cardiovascular disease in elderly patients

Abstract

Objective To explore the determinants of serum uric acid (UA) levels and the relationship between UA and cardiovascular disease in elderly patients. Methods A cross-sectional design was used. A total of 1 066 elderly patients were consecutively recruited in the study. Anthropometric measurement and lifestyle survey were performed, and serum UA, lipid profile, glucose, homocysteine (Hcy) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. The determinants of serum UA levels and correlation between UA and cardiovascular disease were analyzed by regression. Results The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 21.9% (25.9% in men and 18.7% in women). Partial correlation analysis showed the level of serum UA was positively correlated with Hcy (r=0.163, P=0.000), body mass index(r=0.128, P=0.004) and triglyceride(r=0.133, P=0.003), and negatively correlated with HDL-C (r=-0.103, P=0.021). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, multivariate analysis showed eGFR (β=-2.044, t=-10.544, P=0.000), gender (β=42.065, t=4.700, P=0.000), Hcy (β=1.367, t=3.714, P=0.000), BMI (β=3.370, t=2.706, P=0.007), TG (β=14.120, t=2.589, P=0.010) and SOD (β=-0.636, t=-3.079, P=0.002) were independent determinants for UA levels in elderly patients. Logistic regression analysis indicated that mild elevation of UA levels was a risk factor of hypertension (OR=1.925, 95% CI=1.124-3.295) in women and OR=1.780(95% CI=1.010-3.136) in men]. High UA levels increased the risk of coronary heart disease in women [OR=1.710 (95% CI=1.157-2.526)], but decreased the risk of ischemic stroke in men [OR=0.524(95% CI=0.335-0.820)]. Conclusions In elderly patients, serum UA levels were affected by renal function, gender, BMI and serum Hcy, TG and SOD. Mildly elevated UA levels increased the risk of hypertension. High UA levels increased the risk of coronary heart disease in women and decreased the risk of ischemic stroke in men. Key words: Elderly patients; Uric acid; Hypertension; Coronary heart disease; Ischemic stroke