Serum uric acid change and modification of blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose in an overall healthy population sample: data from the Brisighella heart study

Background: Serum uric acid (SUA) is an emerging risk factor for incident hypertension and type 2 diabetes. It is less clear if changes in SUA are associated to different incidence in these main cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: From the cohort of the Brisighella Heart Study, we selected non-diabetic subjects that in 2008 were untreated with SUA-lowering drugs nor antihypertensive ones. Then we divided the subjects in four main groups: the ones that maintained their SUA level unchanged during the next 4 years, the ones that increased it >1mg/dL without treatment, the ones that reduced it >1mg/dL without drug treatment and the ones that reduced it >1mg/dL with the continuous use of allopurinol. Results: Compared with 2008, SBP significantly increased in subjects with worsened (and untreated) SUA level, while improved in subjects treated with allopurinol (p<0.05). In 2012, subjects with worsened (and untreated) SUA level had a significantly higher SBP compared with subjects with unchanged SUA and those with SUA improved after allopurinol treatment (p<0.05). An identical trend has been observed as it regards FPG. Conclusion: It seems that SUA improvement could positively influence the age-related worsening of SBP and FPG in general population. KEY MESSAGES Serum uric acid (SUA) is an emerging risk factor for incident hypertension and type 2 diabetes. SUA improvement could positively influence the age-related worsening of SBP and FPG in general population.