Serum uric acid and blood pressure among adolescents: data from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) 2010–2011

Abstract

Purpose

Elevated serum uric acid (UA) is frequently observed in adults with high blood pressure (BP); however, data from adolescents are limited. We examined the association between serum UA and BP in a nationally representative sample of Taiwan adolescents.

Material and methods

Some 1384 participants, aged 14–19 years, from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan 2010–2011 were included for the study. Elevated BP was defined as systolic or diastolic BP ≥120/80 mmHg. The analyses examined the relationship between serum UA and BP using linear regression and odds ratios of having an elevated BP using logistic regression.

Results

In this study population, the mean age was 16.0 years, mean serum UA was 5.8 mg/dL, 22.5% were obese (body mass index ≥24 kg/m²) and 9.8% had an elevated BP. Compared to girls, boys are more likely to be obese and to have higher serum UA and BP. After full adjustments, systolic BP, diastolic BP and mean arterial pressure increased 0.45, 0.48 and 0.47 mmHg, respectively, for each 1-mg/dL increase in UA (p = 0.07, 0.03 and 0.02, respectively). The odds of having an elevated BP were 3.4 times higher in subjects of the upper tertile of serum UA than those of the lower tertile (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Adolescents with factors as male, obesity, and UA ≥5.5 mg/dL were prone to have an elevated BP, regardless of age and family history of hypertension. The present study found that serum UA levels are significantly correlated to BP in Taiwanese adolescents.

Keywords:

• Blood pressure
• uric acid
• adolescents
• NAHSIT

Acknowledgements

Data analyzed in this article were collected by the research project ‘Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (2010) on Junior High School Students (NAHSIT)’ and ‘Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (2011) on High School Students (NAHSIT)’ sponsored by the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health, Executive Yuan (99TFDA-FS-408 and 100TFDA-FS-406). This research project was carried out by the Division of Preventive Medicine and Health Services Research, the Institute of Population Health Sciences of the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), directed by Dr. Wen-Harn Pan. The Office of Nutrition Survey, the Division of Preventive Medicine and Health Services Research, the Institute of Population Health Sciences of the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI) is responsible for data distribution. The assistance provided by the institutes and aforementioned individuals is greatly appreciated.

Author contributions

KHL, CCY and CMH participated in the study design. KHL and CMH participated in the study coordination and data collection. KHL, FSY and HSC participated in the data analysis. All authors contributed to the interpretation of results as well as to the discussion. KHL, FSY, and CCY all participated in manuscript writing.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Dr. Hwu is supported by grants from the National Science Council, ROC [NSC98-2314-B-075-001-MY3] and the Taipei Veterans General Hospital [V101C-156].