[Correlations between carotid intima-media thickness and serum uric acid levels in hypertensive patients].

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

Intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries assessed noninvasively by ultrasonography is now validated as a sensitive marker for atherosclerosis and it is directly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Hyperuricemia (HU) is a well-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

AIM:

To evaluate the correlations between IMT and uric acid levels in patients with hypertension (HT).

MATERIAL AND METHOD:

Our study consisted of: a group of 30 patients with HT without HU (men 55%, mean age +/- S.D.: 50 +/- 11 years), a group of 25 patients with HT and HU (men 52%, mean age +/- S.D: 52 +/- 10 years), and a control group of 25 healthy subjects (men 55%, mean age +/- S.D: 50 +/- 11 years). All the patients in the study groups were examined by high resolution B-mode ultrasound to measure the IMT of the common carotid artery.

RESULTS:

IMT values were significantly higher in the patient groups (HT without HU and HT with HU) compared to the control group (0.98 +/- 0.28, 1.41 +/- 0.31 versus 0.56 +/- 0.15 mm, respectively, p < 0.001). In the patients groups, patients with HU had significantly higher carotid IMT compared to the patients without HU. In this study we have shown that higher SUA levels are associated with atherogenesis independent from hypertension.

CONCLUSION:

Early screening for hyperuricemia and lowering serum uric acid levels might be beneficial in slowing progression of IMT in hypertensive patients.

• Authors: Germaine Săvoiu, Simona Drăgan, O Fira-Mladinescu, Corina Gorun, Lavinia Noveanu, Anca Tudor, Danina Muntean, Georgeta Mihalaş
• Journal: Revista medico-chirurgicala a Societatii de Medici si Naturalisti din Iasi (Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi) 2008 Oct-Dec Vol. 112 Issue 4 Pg. 902-7 ISSN: 0048-7848 [Print] Romania
• Vernacular Title: Corelaţiile dintre grosimea intima-media la nivelul arterei carotide interne si nivelele acidului uric seric la pacienti hipertensivi.
• PMID: 20209760 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Biomarkers
• Uric Acid

Topics

• Adult
• Antioxidants (metabolism)
• Atherosclerosis (blood, pathology)
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Carotid Arteries (diagnostic imaging, pathology)
• Case-Control Studies
• Disease Progression
• Early Diagnosis
• Female
• Humans
• Hypertension (blood, diagnostic imaging, pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Risk Factors
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Severity of Illness Index
• Tunica Intima (diagnostic imaging, pathology)
• Tunica Media (diagnostic imaging, pathology)
• Ultrasonography
• Uric Acid (blood)