Dietary intake and the risk of hyperuricemia, gout and chronic kidney disease in elderly Taiwanese men

Abstract

Introduction. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between dietary intake and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), treated hyperuricemia (or gout) without CKD, and untreated hyperuricemia without CKD in elderly men.

Methods. The study population comprised 752 men aged 65 or older who had been included in the Elderly Nutrition and Health Survey (1999–2000) (Elderly NAHSIT).

Results. Statistical analysis using a polychotomous logistic regression model revealed that compared with the individuals in the normouricemic group, the individuals in the other groups exhibited a significant association between a higher prevalence of CKD and the following factors: advanced age, drug use for hypertension, egg and shellfish consumption and consumption of poultry with the skin and meat with fat. The significant risk factors for the patients who did not have CKD and were undergoing treatment for hyperuricemia were as follows: BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²; drug use for hypertension; intake of poultry with skin; increased daily consumption of shellfish, fried food, sugar and juice.

Conclusions. Men who use anti-hypertensive drugs and who consume fewer soy products and more shellfish may be at a higher risk of developing hyperuricemia or CKD.

Keywords:

• Serum uric acid
• hyperuricemia
• chronic kidney disease
• glomerular filtration rate

Acknowledgements

Data analysed in this article were collected by the research project “Elderly Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan 1999–2000” sponsored by the Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Taiwan. This research project was carried out by Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, and directed by Dr. Wen-Harn Pan. The Center for Survey Research of Academia Sinica is responsible for the data distribution. The author appreciates the assistance in providing data by the institutes and individuals aforementioned. The views expressed herein are the authors' own. For this study, the author Dr. Chang has conceptualised the study, performed the literature review and statistical analysis, written the first draft of the manuscript and approval of the final manuscript. The author has no conflict of interest.