Serum uric acid level is associated with cardiac hypertrophy in renal transplant recipients

Background: Serum uric acid (UA) level as a significant and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and the link between this marker and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in renal transplant recipients remains to be clarified. Methods: A total of 141 renal transplant recipients (83 men), between ages of 18 and 69 (mean age 37 +/- 11), were included in this single center study. In addition to demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters, serum UA concentrations were evaluated. LVH was determined by two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography. Results: Serum UA levels were significantly higher (6.14 +/- 1.15 mg/dL) in patients with LVH (n = 54) when compared to patients (n = 87) who did not have this abnormality (5.29 +/- 1.43 mg/dL) (p = 0.006). Serum UA levels were significantly correlated with septal wall thickness, LV posterior wall thickness, LV mass index (LVMI), and pulmonary arterial pressure. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that UA predicted LVMI (r2 = 0.150, beta = 0.369, p = 0.001). However, serum creatinine (beta = 0.060, p = 0.593) and age (beta = 0.146, p = 0.175) were not predictors of LVMI. Conclusion: High serum UA levels are associated with LVH in renal transplant recipients, which underlines the importance of treating hyperuricemia.