RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Asymptomatic hyperuricemia is a condition where the serum uric acid levels are elevated but the individual does not have any sign or symptoms of gout or renal stones. The relationship of hyperuricemia with hypertension, diabetes and chronic kidney disease is established. There are studies which show an association of hyperuricemia with endothelial dysfunction thus increasing the cardiovascular risk in these individuals. We therefore undertook this study to observe endothelial dysfunction in individuals of asymptomatic hyperuricemia. METHODOLOGY: This was a case control study where 40 individuals with asymptomatic hyperuricemia and 40 age and sex matched healthy controls with normal serum uric acid levels were included. Endothelial function was studied by flow mediated vasodilation in the brachial artery. RESULTS: The mean age of cases was 45.03±16.44 years while that of control subjects was 44.70±14.31. There were 22 females and 18 males among the cases while there were 24 females and 16 males among the controls. The mean serum uric acid level in cases was 7.27±1.13 mg% while that of controls was 4.52±1.05 mg%. The FMD was 5.57±1.39% in cases while it was 7.73±1.56% in controls and this difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that significant endothelial dysfunction is present in individuals of asymptomatic hyperuricemia in comparison to healthy age and sex matched controls.