Hyperuricemia and the Presence and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

Background: Few studies have assessed the relation of hyperuricemia with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study investigated the association between high uric acid levels with the presence and severity of CAD. Methods: Three hundred and seventy patients having angiographic evidence of atherosclerosis (CAD + case group) compared to 170 patients with no luminal stenosis (n=110) or with <50% luminal stenosis (n=60) at coronary angiography (CAD − control group). Results: The mean age of the patients was 60 ± 10 years (317 men, 58.7%). Hyperuricemia was more likely associated with a trend toward higher vessel scores, indicating a more severe CAD (adjusted OR=1.51, 95% CI=1.09-2.09; P =0.005) in the whole population. A comparison of sex-specific values showed a significant association existed only in men. Conclusions: Asymptomatic hyperuricemia may be associated with the presence and severity of angiographically-defined CAD in patients with suspicious symptoms for CAD.