Serum Uric Acid to Creatinine Ratio Independently Predicts Incident Metabolic Syndrome Among Community-Dwelling Persons

Does Serum Uric Acid to Creatinine Ratio Predict Mortality Risk in Patients With Heart Failure?

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have established a positive correlation between serum uric acid to creatinine (SUA/Cr) ratio and cardiovascular disease, but the relationship between SUA/Cr ratio and the prognosis of heart failure (HF) remains unknown. This study investigated the potential of SUA/Cr ratio as a prognostic predictor for patients with HF.

METHODS

This single-center prospective cohort study enrolled 2,122 patients with HF between March 2013 and June 2017. All patients were divided into 3 groups according to SUA/Cr ratio tertiles and were followed up with until December 31, 2022. The association between SUA/Cr ratio and the prognosis of HF was assessed using the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) age and mean (SD) SUA/Cr ratio of the study cohort (66% male) were 59.3 (14.7) years and 4.71 (2.09), respectively. During a median follow-up period of 15 months (range, 11-26 months), 390 end-point events were observed. Prognosis analysis revealed that a high SUA/Cr ratio was associated with an increased mortality risk of HF (hazard ratio, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.26-2.09]; P < .001) compared with the SUA/Cr ratio in the lowest tertile. After adjusting for covariates, the hazard ratio for mortality risk of HF was 1.71 (95% CI, 1.23-2.37; P = .001). Subgroup analysis showed that mortality risk increased in direct proportion with the SUA/Cr ratio in female patients, patients with a history of hypertension and β-blocker use, and patients with UA levels below 428 μmol/L and creatinine levels less than 97 mg/dL. Stratification by age; by history of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and smoking; and by level of fasting plasma glucose, however, had no obvious effect on the association between SUA/Cr ratio and HF prognosis. Patients with higher SUA/Cr ratios had reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter.

CONCLUSION

A high SUA/Cr ratio was an independent risk factor for the mortality risk of HF.

The serum uric acid/creatinine ratio is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the general population

Serum uric acid-to-creatinine ratio (sUA/CrR) may be associated with metabolic syndrome components, but limited evidence exists on a relationship between sUA/Cr and NAFLD. Here, we investigated the association between sUA/CrR and NAFLD.We performed a cross-sectional analysis in 3359 subjects who participated in the NHANES 2017-2018 survey and consumed less than 30 and 20 g alcohol (men and women, respectively), with no positive tests of viral hepatitis. Liver steatosis was defined by controlled attenuation parameter and fibrosis by stiffness measurements obtained via transient elastography. We modeled the relationship between NAFLD and relevant demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical variables.sUA/CrR was significantly higher in participants with NAFLD than those without NAFLD. LASSO logit regression showed that only logarithmized age (p = 1.2e-3), waist circumference (WC) (p = 1.8e-5), triglycerides (p = 5e-6), and sUA/CrR (p = 3e-5) were retained in the model. Multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated a significant association between sUA/CrR and NAFLD; the OR for NAFLD of one log(sUA/CrR) increase was 2.61 (95% CI: 1.86-3.68, p < 3e-8) after adjusting for relevant covariables, including aminotransaminase levels and the effect of sUA/CrR remained significant for highest WC quintiles. The model's predictive power with vs. without sUA/CrR was slightly but significantly better (Auroc: 0.859 ± 0.006 vs. 0.855 ± 0.007, p < 1.1e-2). Mediation analysis showed that SUA/CrR modestly mediates the effect of WC and insulin resistance but not glycohemoglobin on NAFLD.In conclusion, elevated sUA/CrR was significantly associated with NAFLD in the general population. Therefore, kidney function should be closely monitored in NAFLD patients.

Serum uric acid to creatinine ratio and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly population: Based on the 2015 CHARLS

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Serum uric acid to creatinine ratio (SUA/Cr) may be associated with metabolic syndrome (MS). Here, we investigated the correlation between SUA/Cr and MS in Chinese residents aged ≥ 45 years.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data were obtained from the 2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) database. MS was diagnosed using the Chinese Diabetes Society 2017 criteria. We grouped the population according to SUA/Cr quartiles and compared the index differences between groups. We used spearman correlation analysis and binary logistic regression. The possible dose-response association of SUA/Cr with MS were analyzed using restricted cubic spline model. Of 12,946 included participants, 3370 (26.0%) had MS, and 1900 (56.4%) were female. After adjusting for multiple confounders, binary logistic regression analysis showed that compared with Quartile 1, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of the MS risk was 1.29 (1.09-1.52), 1.47 (1.25-1.74), and 1.80 (1.53-2.12) in Quartiles 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The restricted cubic spline model indicated a significant nonlinear dose-response association (P_overall < 0.001, P_{non-linearity} = 0.029) between SUA/Cr and strength of MS prevalence association; MS risk began increasing when SUA/Cr > 6.22.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant positive correlation existed between SUA/Cr and MS risk in Chinese individuals aged ≥ 45 years, which may be a new predictive marker for MS risk.

Serum uric acid: creatinine ratio (UCR) is associated with recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation

Background and aims

Studies showed that elevated preoperative serum uric acid(SUA) levels are associated with recurrence of atrial fibrillation(AF) after catheter ablation. UA:creatinine ratio(UCR - UA normalised for renal function) has appeared as a new biomarker and is considered to reflect endogenous UA levels preferably because it eliminates the influence of renal function. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between UCR and recurrence of AF after catheter ablation.

Methods and results

A total of 233 consecutive patients with symptomatic, drug-refractory AF underwent catheter ablation. All participants underwent history-taking, physical examination and blood biochemistry analysis at baseline. After a mean follow-up of 23.99 ± 0.76 months, recurrence ratios for each UCR quartile (from lowest quartile to highest) were 10.9%, 23.6%, 23.6%, and 41.8%, respectively (P = 0.005). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that UCR was an independent predictor of AF recurrence (HR 1.217, 95%CI 1.008-1.468; P = 0.041). Subgroup analysis showed that UCR was associated with AF recurrence in paroxysmal AF (HR 1.426, 95% CI 1.092-1.8608; P = 0.009) and in male patients (HR 1.407, 95% CI 1.015-1.950; P = 0.04). A cut-off point of 4.475 for the UCR had sensitivity of 65.5% and specificity of 59.6% in predicting AF recurrence (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that elevated preoperative UCR is associated with recurrence of AF after catheter ablation, and it indicate UCR maybe a predictive factor for the recurrence of AF.

Serum uric acid / serum creatinine ratio as a predictor of cardiovascular events. Detection of prognostic cardiovascular cut-off values

OBJECTIVE

In the frame of the Uric Acid Right for Heart Health (URRAH) study, a nationwide multicenter study involving adult participants recruited on a regional community basis from all the territory of Italy under the patronage of the Working Group on Uric Acid and Cardiovascular Risk of the Italian Society of Hypertension, we searched for the cut-off values of the ratio between serum uric acid (SUA) and serum creatinine (sCr) able to predict cardiovascular (CV) events.

METHODS

Among 20 724 participants followed-up for 126 ± 64 months, after detecting cut-off by the receiver operating characteristic curves, we calculated by Cox models adjusted for confounders having CV events as dependent variable the hazard ratio (HR) of SUA/sCr > cut-off. We also verified if the role of cut-off varied with increasing SUA/sCr.

RESULTS

A plausible prognostic cut-off of SUA/sCr was found and was the same in the whole database, in men and in women (>5.35). The HR of SUA/sCr > cut-off was 1.159 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.092-1.131, P < 0.03) in all, 1.161 (95% CI 1.021-1.335, P < 0.02) in men, and 1.444 (95% CI 1.012-1.113, P < 0.03) in women. In increasing quintiles of SUA/sCr the cut-offs were >3.08, >4.87, >5.35, >6.22 and >7.58, respectively. The HRs significantly increased from the 3rd to the 5th quintile (1.21, 95% CI 1.032-1.467, P = 0.018; 1.294, 95% CI 1.101-1.521, P = 0.002; and 1.642, 95% CI 1.405-1.919, P < 0.0001; respectively), that is, over 5.35, whereas the 2nd quintile was not significantly different from the 1st (reference).

CONCLUSION

Having SUA/sCr >5.35 is an independent CV risk indicator both in men and women. The cut-off is dynamic and significantly increases with increasing SUA/sCr.

Correlation between the Severity of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease and Serum Uric Acid to Serum Creatinine Ratio

PURPOSE

As one of the most common chronic liver diseases, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) had different prognoses between mild and moderate-severe levels. Serum uric acid to serum creatinine ratio (sUA/Cr) can reflect the overall metabolic status of the body. To explore a convenient indicator to screen MAFLD and distinguish the severity of the disease, this study analyzed the correlation between sUA/Cr and the severity of MAFLD.

METHODS

228 participants were enrolled and divided into 2 groups, including mild MAFLD and non-MAFLD group and moderate-severe MAFLD group, based on liver/spleen computed tomography (CT) ratios. The correlations between sUA/Cr and the severity of MAFLD were analyzed by logistic and linear regression. Receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) analyzed the predictive ability of sUA/Cr for the severity of MAFLD expressed by the area under curve (AUC).

RESULTS

The level of sUA/Cr was higher in themoderate-severe MAFLD group than mild MAFLD and non-MAFLD group (6.14 ± 1.55 vs. 5.51 ± 1.19, P = 0.008). After adjustment for confounders, the correlation analysis showed that patients with elevated sUA/Cr had a higher risk of moderate-severe MAFLD (OR: 1.350, P = 0.036). A higher sUA/Cr level was associated with lower liver CT values (β = -0.133, P = 0.039) and liver/spleen CT ratio (β = -0.154, P = 0.016). sUA/Cr had the ability to discriminate the severity of MAFLD (AUC: 0.623).

CONCLUSION

sUA/Cr was positively associated with the risk of moderate-severe MAFLD and had the predictive ability to discriminate the moderate-severe MAFLD from mild MAFLD and non-MAFLD. The sUA/Cr level was suggested to be monitored and controlled in the screening and treatment of MAFLD.

Serum uric acid/creatinine ratio and free androgen index are synergistically associated with increased risk of polycystic ovary syndrome in obese women

BACKGROUND

Features of metabolic syndrome such as abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension and dyslipidemia are commonly encountered in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Recent evidence has suggested an association between high serum uric acid/creatinine (UA/Cr) ratio and metabolic syndrome however, no studies have investigated this association in PCOS. The current study was conducted to investigate the relationship between UA/Cr ratio and PCOS and to identify whether UA/Cr ratio and free androgen index (FAI) have an additive interaction for detection of PCOS risk in obese women.

METHODS

This study enrolled 40 obese women with PCOS and 40 control women with regular menstrual cycles matched for age and body mass index (BMI). Anthropometric measurements, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipids profile, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), total testosterone, free androgen index (FAI), UA/Cr ratio were assessed.

RESULTS

Serum UA/Cr ratio was significantly higher in obese women with PCOS than in non-PCOS women. UA/Cr ratio was correlated with BMI, waist and neck circumferences, blood pressure, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, lipids, LH/FSH, estradiol, DHEAS, total testosterone, FAI and SHBG. UA/Cr ratio and FAI were independent risk factors for PCOS in obese women however, the addictive interaction between UA/Cr ratio and FAI had a higher fold risk (OR: 4.3, 95% CI, 3.4-7.58) and a more significance (P = 0.002) for determination of PCOS.

CONCLUSION

Serum UA/Cr ratio combined with FAI can exert an additive or synergistic impact on prediction of PCOS in obese women.

The association between the serum uric acid to creatinine ratio and all-cause mortality in elderly hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Elderly hemodialysis patients have a higher rate of mortality than nonelderly hemodialysis patients. Recent studies shown that the serum uric acid to creatinine ratio (SUA/Scr) was associated with all-cause mortality in general adults. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between the SUA/Scr and all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality among elderly hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

A total of 222 patients (≥ 60 years) who received hemodialysis more than 8 h per week at Taizhou Second People's Hospital for at least 3 months were enrolled in the present study from January 2015 to December 2019. Clinical characteristics including age, sex and height et. al, were obtained from the hemodialysis database. The laboratory data, including albumin (ALB), total cholesterol (TC), serum uric acid (SUA), serum creatinine (Scr) and so on, were collected before hemodialysis and analyzed by automatic biochemical analyzer. Survival information was recorded during the follow-up period. Multiple Cox regression was carried out to analyze the association between SUA/Scr and all-cause mortality. The survival rate of each group was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the ratio of survival curves was analyzed by the log-rank test. The contribution of SUA/Scr for predicting all-cause mortality risk was evaluated by net reclassification improvement (NRI).

RESULTS

During the 19-month observation period, 78 patients died. Individuals in the nonsurviving group had significantly older ages (P < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.004), serum creatinine (P = 0.005) and prealbumin (P = 0.006) than surviving patients. After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, prealbumin, dialysis vintage, dialysis frequency, single-pool Kt/V (spKt/V), DM, hypertension and comorbidities, a higher ratio of SUA/Scr was independently associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.292; 95% CI: 1.013-1.648; P = 0.039). The predict value on all-cause mortality of SUA/Scr was superior to SUA (additive NRI = 0.214, P = 0.015) and Scr (additive NRI = 0.476, P < 0.001) among elderly hemodialysis patients.

CONCLUSION

The serum uric acid to creatinine ratio is strongly associated with all-cause mortality in elderly hemodialysis patients which is more predictive than SUA or Scr alone.

Serum Uric Acid to Serum Creatinine Ratio and Risk of Stroke Recurrence in Young Adults with Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Serum uric acid to serum creatinine ratio (SUA/SCr) is associated with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to investigate the association between SUA/SCr and stroke recurrence among young adults with ischemic stroke.

METHODS

A total of 428 young patients with ischemic stroke were included in the present study. SUA/SCr was calculated from the concentration of serum uric acid and creatine (uric acid/creatine). Cox proportional regression models were performed to evaluate the association between SUA/SCr and stroke recurrence. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to compare recurrence rates in different quantiles of SUA/SCr.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 3.14 years, 51 (10.7%) patients had stroke recurrence. Multivariable analyses indicated that SUA/SCr was associated with stroke recurrence after being adjusted for potential confounders (quantile four versus quantile one: hazard ratio: 3.420; 95% confidence interval: 1.426-8.200; P = 0.006). Kaplan-Meier curves revealed that patients with a high concentration of SUA/SCr had an increased stroke recurrence risk. The time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the area under the curve for SUA/SCr was above 0.7 during follow-up. Restricted cubic spline presented an increasing trend for the link between SUA/SCr and stroke recurrence among young adults.

CONCLUSION

SUA/SCr was positively associated with the risk of stroke recurrence among young adults with ischemic stroke. Further prospective studies are warranted to assess the causality between SUA/SCr and the development of stroke recurrence among young adults.

The Serum Uric Acid to Serum Creatinine Ratio is an Independent Risk Factor for Diabetic Kidney Disease

PURPOSE

A retrospective study was designed to evaluate whether the serum uric acid to serum creatinine ratio (SUA/SCr) can be used as an indicator of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and macroangiopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We screened 2227 patients diagnosed with T2DM, and 450 patients were finally included. They were assigned to three groups based on the tertile of SUA/SCr (Group Tertile 1, Tertile 2, Tertile 3). Demographic information and biochemical parameters were collected from Electronic Patient Record (EPR).

RESULTS

The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values were lowest in Group Tertile 1 and highest in Group Tertile 3 (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) among the three groups (P > 0.05). Partial correlation analyses revealed that SUA/SCr levels were significantly and positively correlated with eGFR, SUA, body mass index, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alanine transaminase, triglycerides, C-peptide, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and fatty liver, while they were negatively correlated with SCr, blood urea nitrogen, cystatin-c, age, male sex, DM duration and hypertension history (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that SUA/SCr was an independent risk factor for eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² (P < 0.05). The ROC curve showed that the cutoff value of SUA/SCr for the identification of eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² was 3.434. In patients with normal UACR, SUA/SCr levels of patients with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² were lower than those with eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m² (P < 0.05). Regression analysis did not show SUA/SCr associate to macrovascular disease after adjusting for confounding factors.

CONCLUSION

SUA/SCr is an independent risk factor for DKD in patients with T2DM and may be helpful for identifying normoalbuminuric DKD.

Associaton of Retinol Binding Protein 4 (RBP4) Levels With Hyperuricemia: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Chinese Population

BACKGROUND

There are few studies on predictive biomarkers for hyperuricemia, and the predictive value of these biomarkers tends to be poor. Additionally, no reports have described the predictive value of retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) for hyperuricemia.

PURPOSE

This study was performed to evaluate the value of RBP4 for predicting the risk of hyperuricemia in a general population, determine whether RBP4 could be used alone or in combination with other factors to predict the risk of hyperuricemia in the general population, and establish an optimum predictive model.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey in 2018, involving a questionnaire, physical examination, and laboratory testing. We enrolled 2303 individuals by stratified random sampling, and 2075 were included in the data analysis after applying the eligibility criteria.

RESULTS

Serum RBP4 level had a highly significant association with hyperuricemia (P<0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, logistic regression indicated that the risk of hyperuricemia was highest in the highest RBP4 quartile (odds ratio: 7.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.18-14.84, compared to the lowest quartile). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for RBP4 was 0.749 (95% CI: 0.725-0.774, P<0.001), which was higher than that for all the other predictors assessed. The optimum model for predicting hyperuricemia in the general population consisted of RBP4, sex (male), body mass index, serum creatinine, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fasting blood glucose, insulin, and alcohol consumption. The AUC was 0.804 (95% CI: 0.782-0.826, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

RBP4 is strongly associated with hyperuricemia, and its predictive value was higher than that of traditional predictors.

Association of the serum uric acid to creatinine ratio with metabolic syndrome in the middle age and older population in China

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has attracted great interest, with an increasing prevalence. Recent studies have shown that the serum uric acid-to-creatinine ratio (SUACr) might be an excellent biomarker for MetS risk prediction in diabetic patients and postmenopausal women. However, the relationship between SUACr and MetS in a middle-aged and older population remains unclear.

METHODS

A total of 1277 participants were included in this cross-sectional study. Logistic regression modelling was performed to assess the association between SUACr and MetS in the total population. The dose-response relationship of SUACr and MetS was further assessed by a restricted cubic spline model (RCS). Furthermore, to explore the relationships between the levels of SUACr and the number of metabolic components, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied.

RESULTS

The levels of SUACr were lower in the non-MetS participants (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.36 to 1.89; P<0.001),. Positive and dose-response relationships were further confirmed by the RCS model. We also found that, with increased number of components, the SUACr tended to increase. Moreover, values of SUACr were strongly related to levels of triglycerides (TGs), body mass index (BMI), blood glucose levels, systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP), and hypertension. In addition, the positive association between SUACr and MetS also occurred in those patients with normal uric acid levels.

CONCLUSION

Elevated values of SUACr were strongly associated with an increased risk of MetS; this positive relationship remained in those individuals with normal uric acid levels.

Metabolic Factors Mediate the Association Between Serum Uric Acid to Serum Creatinine Ratio and Cardiovascular Disease

Background

The serum uric acid/serum creatinine ratio (SUA/SCr), which represents renal function‐normalized SUA, is associated with diverse adverse outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between SUA/SCr and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and determine whether and to what extent this association is mediated by cardiometabolic factors.

Methods and Results

This prospective study enrolled 96 378 participants from the Kailuan study without stroke and myocardial infarction at baseline (2006). Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Mediation analyses were conducted to separately explore the mediating effects of cardiometabolic factors on the association between SUA/SCr and CVD. During median follow up of 11.01 years, 6315 (6.55%) individuals developed incident CVD. After adjustment for potential confounders, the highest quartile of SUA/SCr was associated with the highest risk of CVD (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.07–1.23), stroke (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.07–1.26), ischemic stroke (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02–1.22), and hemorrhagic stroke (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.11–1.65), but not with myocardial infarction (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.92–1.25). The association was consistent across different degrees of kidney function and glucose tolerance statuses. Additionally, the association between high SUA/SCr and CVD was partially mediated by triglycerides (30.74%), body mass index (BMI) (19.52%), total cholesterol (15.06%), hs‐CRP (high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein) (13.06%), diastolic blood pressure (11.75%), and blood glucose (−16.38%).

Conclusions

SUA/SCr and CVD were positively associated. Furthermore, this association was partially mediated through blood lipids, BMI, blood pressure, hs‐CRP, and blood glucose.