Gender Difference in Serum Levels of Uric Acid in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Introduction: Serum uric acid (SUA) level has been shown to be increased in patients with cardiovascular disease. This increase is generally higher in women than men. However, there is conflicting evidence based on different population. This study was aimed to explore and assed gender-based differences in the level of SUA in an Iranian subjects with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We also investigated the relationship between SUA and clinical characteristics including, BMI, Killip class, hypertension and diabetes. Method: A total of 78 AMI patients, aged 20-90 years, comprised of 39 men and 39 women were enrolled in this cross sectional study. Venous blood samples were drawn from each of the participants after a nocturnal fasting on days 1, 3 and 4. Anthropometric indices, fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile and uric acid level as well as the ejection fraction (EF) were measured using standard protocols. Results: The mean SUA level in women was significantly higher than that in male on days 1,3,4 (P=0.001, 0.002, 0.03 respectively). A strong association was found between SUA on day 3 and hypertension, even after adjustment for BMI (OR=2.29, 95% CI, 1.21-4.3). There was also a significant correlation between SUA and age in women (p=0.03). However, such relationship was no found for diabetes. Conclusion: An increased level of SUA was observed in women. This increment was also associated with hypertension and age in women. Our results suggest a gender differences in the association of SUA level with AMI related adverse events.