Hyperuricemia (HU) has been shown to be associated with an adverse impact on cardiovascular and metabolic risk. Scanty data are available in the general population on the longitudinal changes in ...serum uric acid (SUA), the occurrence of HU and their potential predictors. We examined during a 25-year follow-up the SUA changes and the factors associated with HU development in the Pressioni Arteriose Monitorate E loro Associazioni (PAMELA) study.
We analyzed data collected in 561 subjects of the PAMELA study evaluated during an average follow-up time amounting to 25.4 ± 1.0 years (mean ± SD). HU was defined by the Uric Acid Right for Heart Health (URRAh) cutoff (5.1 for females and 5.6 mg/dl for males). Mean SUA values during follow-up increased from 4.7 ± 1.1 to 5.0 ± 1.2 mg/dl (P<0.001), the average SUA elevation amounting to of 0.3 ± 1.1 mg/dl 26.7 % of the subjects displayed HU at the follow-up. This was associated at the multivariable analysis with female gender, office, home and 24-h blood pressure, diuretic treatment, serum triglycerides and baseline SUA, as well as the increase in waist circumference and the reduction in renal function.
The present study provides longitudinal evidence that in the general population during a 25 year follow-up there is a progressive increase in SUA and HU development. Baseline SUA represents the most important factor associated with these modifications. Gender, renal dysfunction, triglycerides, obesity, diuretic treatment and blood pressure represent other variables capable to predict future occurrence of HU.
•Scanty data are available in the general population on the longitudinal changes in serum uric acid (SUA), on development of new hyperuricemia (HU) and on potential predictors of these modifications.•In 561 subjects belonging to the Pressioni Arteriose E Loro Monitorate E Loro Associazioni (PAMELA) study the changes in SUA, occurrence on new HU during a 25 year follow-up. Data were also analyzed to examine the potential predictors of these metabolic alterations.•Mean SUA values during follow-up increased from 4.7 ± 1.1 to 5.0 ± 1.2 mg/dl (P<0.001), the average SUA elevation amounting to 0.3 ± 1.1 mg/dl. The percentage of subjects displaying HU at the follow-up amounted to 26.7 %.•At the multivariable analysis female gender, office, home and 24-h blood pressure, diuretic treatment, serum triglycerides and baseline SUA, the increase in waist circumference and the reduction in renal function were the most important predictors of the SUA increase and HU.