Evaluation of Uric Acid and Its Correlation with Decline in Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate among the Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease is one of the most serious public health burdens globally, with significant morbidity, mortality, and compromise patient life expectancy. Many sub-Saharan African countries face double-burden challenges in the treating of chronic kidney disease and its associated complications. The current study aims to evaluate serum uric acid, and its correlation with estimated glomerular filtration rate as well as other risk factors among the chronic kidney disease patients on follow-up at renal clinic of Jimma University specialized referral hospital. An Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Jimma University referral from August 6, 2022, to November 13, 2022. A consecutive sampling technique was employed to recruit the study participants into the current study. Data were collected using interviewer-based structured questionnaires and patient’s record reviews. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 25.0. Pearson’s correlation analyses was used to check the correlation between estimated glomerular filtration rate and uric acid. Univariate and multivariate linear regression model was used to test predictors of serum uric acid in the study participants. The total study participants were 140 individuals. Subjects included (54.3% [n=76]) men and (45.7% [n=64]) women, respectively. The mean (SD) age of study subjects was 51.04±9.02 years. The mean value of serum uric acid was 7.2±2.1mg/dl whereas the mean of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 54.2±31 mL/min/1.73m². Furthermore, the mean values of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen among participants in this study were 3.2±1.4 and 67.8±35.8 mg/dL respectively. In the current study, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) value was negatively correlated (r=-0.912, P<0.001) with uric acid. However, systolic blood pressure was positively correlated (r=0.584, P<0.001) with uric acid. Moreover, the eGFR value was negatively associated (β=-0.060, P=<0.001) with uric acid among study participants. Based on the current study finding, an increase in serum uric acid was associated with a decrease in eGFR value. Increased serum uric acid, increased body mass index and high blood pressure are independent risk factors for disease progression in patients with CKD.