title: Uric acid levels in patients on antituberculosis drugs in the Southwest region of Cameroon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Antituberculosis drugs (ATDs) efficiently combat Mycobacterium tuberculosis either through direct molecular interactions or its metabolites. However, a variety of adverse effects have been reported, leading to frequent interruptions of treatment. In order to investigate possible metabolic disturbances resulting from antituberculosis treatment, the uric acid level of patients on ATDs was measured in the Southwest region of Cameroon.
  
  
  METHODS
  This hospital-based cross-sectional study involved 96 tuberculosis patients on ATDs and 32 controls who were neither on ATDs nor any other treatment that could increase uric acid levels. The hospital records of consenting participants were reviewed for medical history and questionnaires were issued. About 2-mL venous blood was collected and analyzed using spectrophotometer to determine uric acid levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hyperuricemia was observed in 56/96 (58.3%) of the studied group as compared with four of 32 (12.5%) in the control group (p<0.001). Our results indicated that treatment duration was significantly associated with hyperuricemia (p=0.0016), while gender (p=0.1275) was not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hyperuricemia is associated with ATDs, with treatment duration being a significant factor. The disorder should be closely monitored, especially during the intensive phase of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon; Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana. Electronic address: btpokam@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Benjamin D Thumamo
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Pokam
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Enoh J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Eeteneneng
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Aniekan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Umoh
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Nse O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Umoh
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Prisca W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Guemdjom
keywords: Antituberculosis drugs; Cameroon; Hyperuricemia; Intensive phase; South west region