title: [Serum uric acid level and related clinical features in neuromyelitis optica].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate serum uric acid (UA) levels and related clinical characteristics of neuromyelitis optica (NMO).
  
  
  METHODS
  The serum uric acid levels were measured in 65 patients with NMO, compared to control groups which were 76 cases with multiple sclerosis (MS), 126 cases with cerebral vascular diseases (CVD) and 130 healthy controls (HC). The disability severity in NMO was assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to strengthen assessment the involved lesions. Serum AQP4 antibody was tested in a cell based immunofluorescence assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In male groups, serum UA levels in NMO patients [(298.90 ± 74.14) µmol/L] were significantly lower than that in CVD [(355.37 ± 50.30) µmol/L] and HC subjects [(340.33 ± 58.23) µmol/L, P < 0.05]. No difference was found between NMO and MS [(292.36 ± 92.95) µmol/L] groups. In female groups, serum UA levels in NMO patients [(198.21 ± 62.62) µmol/L] were significantly lower than that in CVD [(274.51 ± 70.66) µmol/L] and HC subjects [(243.26 ± 60.65) µmol/L, P < 0.05]. No difference was found between NMO and MS [(232.29 ± 71.95) µmol/L] groups. UA levels were significantly lower in females [(198.21 ± 62.62) µmol/L] than in males [(298.90 ± 74.14) µmol/L]. UA levels were significantly lower in patients with EDSS ≥ 5 [(195.48 ± 83.70) µmol/L] than EDSS < 5 [(241.00 ± 63.20) µmol/L] NMO patients. In our study UA levels were not correlated with longitude of spinal lesions, activity revealed by MRI and AQP4 antibody tires.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lower serum UA levels were found in patients with NMO and related to more severe symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-fan
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Wen-hui
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yong-gang
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.forename: Wen-li
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000097:blood*; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014527:Uric Acid