The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of
hyperuricemia and its associated factors in an urban area of Izmir, located in western Turkey. Our study group was selected by computerized sampling from the participants of a larger population-based study searching for the prevalence of
rheumatoid arthritis in Balcova and Narlidere districts of Izmir. A total of 132 subjects (69 women and 63 men) were included in this study. Serum
uric acid,
glucose,
creatinine and
lipid levels were studied. Body composition along with body fat percentage was determined anthropometrically. A total of 16 subjects had
hyperuricemia (4 women and 12 men). The overall prevalence of
hyperuricemia was 12.1% and the mean
uric acid level was 4.9 +/- 1.3 mg/dl. Males had significantly higher
uric acid levels than females (P < 0.05; 5.5 +/- 1.3 vs. 4.3 +/- 1.1 mg/dl, respectively). The prevalence of
hypertension, diabetes,
obesity and
metabolic syndrome was 24.4, 5.3, 28 and 26.5%, respectively. There was no gouty subject. Sum of skinfold thickness (SFT) measurements and
creatinine levels were the independent predictors of
hyperuricemia (beta = 0.45, 0.47, respectively).
Uric acid measurement is important not only for inflammatory rheumatic disorders but also for predicting
metabolic syndrome and related
coronary artery disease. There is sex difference in
uric acid levels in favor of women most probably explained by
gonadal hormones.
Hyperuricemia is significantly predicted by anthropometric measure of SFT which is a simple clinical screening method along with
creatinine levels.