Relation between serum uric acid and carotid intima-media thickness in healthy postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
Serum uric acid (SUA) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However it is still disputed whether the relationship is mediated by other risk factors such as obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and insulin resistance. We explored the association of the uric acid level with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a well known marker of CVD, in postmenopausal healthy women.


METHODS
We consecutively enrolled postmenopausal women undergoing a screening for health evaluation. After an accurate clinical examination, and a biochemical evaluation, the enrolled subjects underwent B mode ultrasonography to assess common carotid intima media thickness.


RESULTS
Among 234 women aged 45-70 years, the uric acid level is associated with carotid IMT independently of other prognostic factors (p=0.03). In particular, women in the highest tertiles of uric acid level have a greater IMT than women in the lowest tertile (p=0.007).


CONCLUSIONS
Independently of other cardiovascular risk factors, SUA levels are associated with carotid IMT even in subjects without the metabolic syndrome. This confirms and expands the role of uric acid in the determinism of CVD. Prospective trials would be useful to evaluate interventions aimed at lowering the uric acid level.
Montalcini
T
T
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, G. Salvatore University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, Viale Europa, I-88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
Gorgone
G
G
Gazzaruso
C
C
Sesti
G
G
Perticone
F
F
Pujia
A
A
D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood*
D014527:Uric Acid