Sex difference in the association of serum uric acid with metabolic syndrome and its components: a cross-sectional study in a Chinese Yi population

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Since the association between serum uric acid (SUA) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been reported extensively, it remains unclear whether SUA is associated with MetS and its components in a Chinese Yi population.

Methods: This study recruited 1,903 people (912 men, 991 women) older than 18 years old from the Liangshan region in Sichuan province. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical indexes were measured by a standard protocol. SUA levels were divided into four quartiles by sex.

Results: The prevalence of hyperuricemia and MetS is 21.0% and 17.1%, respectively. The levels of SUA were positively correlated with waist circumference, body mass index and triglycerides while negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in both sexes. Increased SUA levels were accompanied with prevalence of MetS and several components in both sexes (P < 0.05). Men with the highest SUA quartile had an increased risk of MetS [OR (95% CI): 3.101 (1.281–7.504)], and men with higher SUA levels had an increased risk of central obesity, high blood pressure and hypertriglyceridemia compared to the lowest SUA quartile. Women with higher SUA levels had an increased risk of MetS, central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and a lower risk of high blood pressure compared to the lowest SUA quartile.

Conclusions: SUA levels were closely associated with MetS and several components by sex in Chinese Yi population.

KEYWORDS:

• Serum uric acid
• metabolic syndrome
• sex difference
• Chinese Yi population
• cross-sectional study

Acknowledgments

We thank all subjects who participated in the study in Liangshan region and all staff at Southwest Medical University and Liangshan Prefecture CDC for their help and effort with the study. This study was supported by Danone dietary nutrition research and education fund (Project No. DIC2013-03) of Danone Institute (China). This study was registered in Chinese clinical trial registry (Registr ID: ChiCTR-ECS-14004115).

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This study is funded by the Danone dietary nutrition research and education fund of Danone Institute (China) (DIC2013-03).