Hypouricemia is a risk factor for diabetes in Chinese adults

Abstract

It is unknown whether low serum uric acid (hypouricemia) is associated with diabetes diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate this association in Chinese adults. This cross-sectional study included 22,546 Chinese adults. The reference interval for serum uric acid was determined in a sub-group of healthy individuals. The association between hypouricemia and diabetes was analyzed using binary logistic regression. The serum uric acid reference intervals were 3.78–8.31 mg/dL for males and 2.76–6.24 mg/dL for females. Hypouricemia was defined as serum uric acid concentration <3.78 mg/dL for males and <2.76 mg/dL for females. Hypouricemia was associated with an increased likelihood of diabetes diagnosis in both unadjusted (odds ratio [OR], 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.78–2.79) and risk factor adjusted (OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 2.08–3.43) analyses. In a sub-group analysis, hypouricemia was significantly independently associated with an increased likelihood of diabetes diagnosis in males but not females. This study suggests that hypouricemia is independently associated with an increased risk of diabetes diagnosis. The findings should be validated in prospective cohort studies. • The uric acid reference interval was 3.78–8.31 mg/dL for males. • The uric acid reference interval was 2.76–6.24 mg/dL for females. • Hypouricemia was associated with diabetes diagnosis in males. • Hypouricemia was not associated with diabetes diagnosis in females.