Prognostic value of the combination of uric acid and NT-proBNP in patients with chronic heart failure

Abstract

ObjectiveHyperuricemia is associated with poor outcomes in chronic heart failure (HF). We aimed to evaluate whether uric acid (UA) alone or in combination with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a good predictor of all-cause mortality, HF hospitalization, and the composite endpoint of HF hospitalization or all-cause mortality in chronic HF. MethodsUA and NT-proBNP levels were evaluated retrospectively in 861 chronic HF patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction of ≤50%. The patients were compared by dividing them into 4 groups according to the cut-off values of UA and NT-proBNP. ResultsSerum UA concentrations were ≥ 7.0 mg/dL in 46.5% of the subjects. With a median follow-up of 30 months, 201 (23.3%) patients died and 308 (35.8%) patients were hospitalized during the study. The all-cause mortality rate was higher in the hyperuricemic group than that of the normouricemic group (p < 0.001). A multivariate Cox regression model revealed that UA and NT-proBNP were independent predictors of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.105, 95% CI: 1.019-1.198, p = 0.016 and HR: 3.743, CI: 2.647-5.292, p < 0.001, respectively). Patients were divided into 4 groups based on UA (≥ 7 and < 7 mg/dL) and NT-proBNP (≥ 2279 and < 2279 ng/L) levels. All-cause mortality, HF hospitalization, and the composite endpoint of HF hospitalization or all-cause mortality rates were higher in the group with high UA and NT-proBNP levels (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). ConclusionHyperuricemia alone is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in chronic HF. However, the combination of UA and NT-proBNP appears to be a stronger predictor of poor outcomes.