Individual and combined relationship of serum uric acid and alanine aminotransferase on metabolic syndrome in adults in Qingdao, China

Abstract

Background and aimsAssociations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and serum uric acid (SUA) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) remain controversial. We aimed to explore individual and combined effects of ALT and SUA on MetS in community residents. Methods and resultsA population-based cross-sectional survey involving randomly selected Chinese adults aged 35–74 years was conducted in 2009 in Qingdao, China, and 4642 participants were included in the current study. Based on a combination of SUA and ALT levels in the tertile, subjects were grouped into Group 1-9. The individual and combined relations of SUA and ALT to MetS were analyzed by logistic regression models. The prevalence of MetS was 28.50% in males and 22.30% in females. ALT and SUA were independently associated with MetS and ORs (95% CIs) were 1.55 (1.42–1.70) and 1.92 (1.72–2.14), respectively, after adjusting for potential confounders. With the elevation of ALT and SUA levels, the risk of developing MetS increased. Compared to Group 1, ORs (95% CIs) of combined ALT and SUA for MetS were 2.21 (1.70–2.88), 4.02 (3.10–5.21), 2.19 (1.62–2.97), 2.53 (1.91–3.34), 4.69 (3.60–6.12), 1.76 (1.17–2.64), 3.65 (2.63–5.06) and 7.15 (5.41–9.46) in Group 2–9, respectively. ConclusionsALT and SUA were both related to MetS independently. Combined elevation of ALT and SUA levels could increase the risk of MetS and its components than an elevation in SUA and ALT alone. Therefore, measures should be taken to lower SUA and ALT levels to reduce the risk of having MetS.