URIC ACID IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Increased concentration of uric acid may play a role in the pathogenesis of primary hypertension (PH). Aim of the study was to assess concentration of uric acid and its correlation with selected clinical and biochemical parameters in children with PH. Design and method: In a group of 57 untreated pharmacologically children with PH (44 boys, 13 girls, mean age 14.99 ± 2.84 years) following parameters were assessed: serum uric acid concentration [mg/dL], blood pressure in office measurement and in 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and selected clinical and biochemical parameters. Control group consisted of 20 healthy children (mean 14.11 ± 2.99 years). Results: Serum uric acid concentration was significantly higher in children with PH compared to healthy children (5.72 ± 1.38 vs. 4.55 ± 1.07 [mg/dL]; p = 0.001). In patients with PH, its concentration was significantly higher in boys compared to girls ((6.12 ± 1.20 mg/dL vs. 4.35 ± 1.13 mg/dL, p < 0.001), no such difference was found in healthy children. In the PH group, uric acid concentration correlated positively with age (r = 0.426, p = 0.001), height (r = 0.557, p < 0.001), weight (r = 0.518, p < 0.001), weight Z- score (r = 0.296, p = 0.025), BMI (r = 0.316, p = 0.017), neutrophil count (r = 0.280, p = 0.035), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.375, p = 0.004) and pulse pressure (r = 0.444, p = 0.001) in ABPM and negatively with HDL cholesterol, heart rate (r = -0.310, p = 0.02 (1 = -0.309, p = 0.020) and nighttime diastolic blood pressure dip (r = -0.268, p = 0.044) in ABPM. In multivariate analysis, the determinants of uric acid concentration in children with PH were sex (beta = 0,367, 95%CI (0.122–0.611), p = 0.004) and weight Z-score (beta = 0.254, 95%CI (0.005–0.504), p = 0.046). Conclusions: Children with primary hypertension have increased serum uric acid concentration compared to healthy children. The risk factors for hyperuricemia in pediatric patients with primary hypertension are male sex and high body weight.