Musculoskeletal color doppler ultrasonography in prediction of gouty nephropathy in asymptomatic hyperuricemia patients with articular uric acid crystal deposition

Abstract

Objective To investigate whether patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia who are found to have articular uric acid crystal deposition under color ultrasound are more likely to develop gouty nephropathy. Methods Patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia who were admitted to the outpatient department and hospitalized at our hospital from August 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 were included. According to the results of myoskeletal color doppler ultrasound, the patients were divided into an articular uric acid crystal deposition group and a non-crystal deposition group. Whether gout nephropathy occurred after 18 months both groups was determined. Results 7 cases had gout nephropathy in the articular uric acid crystal deposition group, and 4 in the non-crystal deposition group (P<0.05). Conclusion Musculoskeletal ultrasound finds that asymptomatic hyperuricemia patients with articular uric acid crystal deposition are more likely to develop gouty nephropathy. Key words: Color doppler ultrasound; Asymptomatic hyperuricemia; Articular uric acid crystal deposition; Gouty nephropathy