Role of uric acid in the link between arterial stiffness and cardiac hypertrophy: a cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
Hyperuricaemia has been linked to atherosclerosis; however, there is limited evidence about its association with arterial stiffness and cardiac hypertrophy, which are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We studied the association of hyperuricaemia with an increased risk of arterial stiffness and cardiac hypertrophy in a population participating in a health-screening programme.


METHODS
In subjects who underwent health screening from 2005 to 2007, arterial stiffness was measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), whereas cardiac hypertrophy was determined by plain chest radiography and electrocardiography. Polychotomous logistic regression was used to identify associations of hyperuricaemia with arterial stiffness and cardiac hypertrophy, after adjusting for the presence of metabolic syndrome.


RESULTS
Of the total 9375 subjects enrolled, 1324 (14.5%) had hyperuricaemia. Subjects with hyperuricaemia had a significantly higher baPWV [1618.8 (379.3) cm/s] than those without it [1501.8 (334.9) cm/s]. Cardiac hypertropy was observed in 1047 (11.2%) subjects. Hyperuricaemia was associated with cardiac hypertrophy with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.53 (95% CI 1.32, 1.77). Polychotomous logistic regression showed that hyperuricaemia was associated with ORs (95% CI) for coexisting abnormal baPWV and cardiac hypertrophy of 1.75 (95% CI 1.24, 2.47) and 1.41 (95% CI 1.04, 1.91) in men and women, respectively, after adjusting for age, proteinuria, high high-sensitive CRP, abnormal ankle-brachial index or a number of metabolic syndrome components present.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperuricaemia was associated with arterial stiffness and cardiac hypertrophy. Hyperuricaemia, along with other risk factors related to atherosclerosis, could play a role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy by increasing arterial stiffness.
Kuo
Chang-Fu
CF
Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Road, Kweisan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.
Yu
Kuang-Hui
KH
Luo
Shue-Fen
SF
Ko
Yu-Shien
YS
Wen
Ming-Shien
MS
Lin
Yu-Sheng
YS
Hung
Kuo-Chun
KC
Chen
Chun-Chi
CC
Lin
Chi-Ming
CM
Hwang
Jawl-Shan
JS
Tseng
Wen-Yi
WY
Chen
Hung-Wei
HW
Shen
Yu-Ming
YM
See
Lai-Chu
LC
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033461:Hyperuricemia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D014527:Uric Acid