Relation of BMI and waist circumference with the risk of new-onset hyperuricemia in hypertensive patients

Background We aimed to evaluate the relationship of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with the risk of new-onset hyperuricemia, and examine possible effect modifies in general hypertensive patients. Methods A total of 10 611 hypertensive patients with normal uric acid (UA) concentrations (<357 mu mol/l) at baseline were included from the UA sub-study of the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial. The primary outcome was new-onset hyperuricemia, defined as a UA concentration >= 417 mu mol/l in men or >= 357 mu mol/l in women at the exit visit. Results During a median follow-up duration of 4.4 years, 1663 (15.7%) participants developed new-onset hyperuricemia. When analyzed separately, increased BMI (>= 25 kg/m(2), quartile 3-4; OR, 1.46; 95% CI: 1.29-1.65), or increased WC (>= 85 cm for females, quartile 3-4; OR, 1.24; 95% CI: 1.08-1.42; and >= 84 cm for males, quartile 3-4; OR, 1.30; 95% CI: 1.01-1.67) were each significantly associated with higher risk of new-onset hyperuricemia. When WC was forced into the model with BMI simultaneously, its significant association with new-onset hyperuricemia disappeared in females (<85 vs. >= 85 cm; OR, 0.96, 95% CI: 0.81-1.13) or males (>= 84 vs. <84 cm; OR, 1.13; 95% CI: 0.84-1.52); however, BMI was still significantly related with new-onset hyperuricemia (>= 25 vs. <25 kg/m(2); OR, 1.48; 95% CI: 1.27-1.73). Moreover, the positive BMI & new-onset hyperuricemia association was more pronounced in participants with higher time-averaged on-treatment systolic blood pressure (median: P-interaction = 0.041). Conclusions Higher BMI, but not WC, is significantly and independently associated with an increased risk of new-onset hyperuricemia among hypertensive patients.