The association between serum uric acid level and coronary artery disease

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to determine the relationship between serum uric acid level and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: A total of 1012 patients who underwent coronary angiography were included in this study. All patients were assessed for the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and ongoing medications. Serum uric acid and creatinine level, as well as a fasting lipid profile and fasting blood glucose, were measured in all patients before the procedure. The severity of CAD was assessed by the Gensini score. Results: Of 1012 patients (mean age, 59.4 ± 10.24 years), 680 were men (mean age, 58.7 ± 10.5 years) and 332 were women (mean age, 61.0 ± 9.51 years). Of the study patients, 703 (69%) were hypertensive, 292 (28.9%) were diabetic (DM), 304 (30%) had a smoking history, 306 (30%) had low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and 350 (34%) had hypertriglyceridaemia. CAD was present in 689 (68%) patients who were assessed by coronary angiography. One-, two-and three-vessel disease was detected in 32.6%, 32.5% and 34.9% of the patients respectively; left main coronary artery lesion was detected in 15% of the patients. A statistically significant difference in the mean uric acid concentrations was found between the patients with or without CAD [380 ± 121 μmol/l (6.39 ± 2.04 mg/dl) vs. 323.5 ± 83.2 μmol/l (5.44 ± 1.40 mg/dl) p < 0.001]. Based on logistic regression analysis, the increased serum uric acid level was found to be associated with the presence of CAD in both men and women (p < 0.001). The increased serum uric acid level was also found to be associated with the severity of CAD in both men and women based on multivariate linear regression analysis (p < 0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, serum uric acid level was found to be associated with the presence and severity of CAD. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.