Joint effects of serum uric acid and body mass index on risk of prehypertension in Chinese population

Background: There are few data available on the association between serum uric acid (UA) and prehypertension when hypertension prevention efforts may be applicable. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study to evaluate risk of prehypertension and its association with serum UA and other confounding factors. Levels of serum UA, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and some related factors were detected. Results: Participants with prehypertension had higher levels of serum UA and BMI. Compared to those with normotension, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratios [ORs, 95% confidence interval (CI)] for men with prehypertension were 1.33 (95% CI, 1.08-3.91) of serum UA and 1.21 (95% CI, 1.17-1.29) of BMI. In women, the ORs were 1.96 (95% CI, 1.21-3.46) and 1.28 (95% CI, 1.14-2.46), respectively. Increasing serum UA and BMI were associated with increased risk of prehypertension. Compared with the lowest quartiles, the highest serum UA and BMI quartiles entailed >4.4 times greater risk of prehypertension. In sex-specific analysis, OR was 2.41 (95% CI, 1.55-3.75) for men and 7.37 (95% CI, 4.16-13.0) for women. Conclusions: Both high serum UA and high BMI are associated with risk of prehypertension. Individuals with higher serum UA and BMI simultaneously have a higher risk for prehypertension, especially for women. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.