The relationship of hyperuricemia and blood pressure in the Thai army population

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated a strong association of hypertension and renal disease with gout. Nevertheless, controversy remains concerning serum uric acid concentration as an independent factor of hypertension.
Aim: To explore the relationship between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with serum uric acid levels. Settings and Design: An observational study.
Materials and Methods: A total of 5,564 subjects from the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences were included in the study.
Statistical Analysis: ANOVA tests, Chi-square test, correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis were performed.
Results: Of the total subjects, 4,099 (73.7%) were male. Mean SBP and DBP were 128.73±17.06 and 81.62 ± 11.58 mm Hg, respectively. The mean serum uric acid level was 6.54 ± 1.71 mg/dL. A significant and positive correlation was found both between serum uric acid and SBP (r=0.186, P < 0.001) and between serum uric acid and DBP (r=0.255, P < 0.001). After multiple regression analysis of various clinical variables, serum uric acid levels were correlated with the severity of both SBP and DBP, increased age, increased body mass index, decreased glomerular filtration rate, increased serum cholesterol, and male gender.
Conclusions: In this study, we suggest that serum uric acid be used to correlate with levels of blood pressure in the general population. Further investigation is required to establish the treatment for hyperuricemia in hypertensive patients.