ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Studies examining the association between levels of serum uric acid (SUA) and risk of prehypertension still remained controversial conclusions. Also, a quantitative assessment of the dose-response association between them has not been reported. We aimed to quantitatively evaluate risk of prehypertension with levels of SUA based on observational study. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases up to December 3, 2019 for relevant studies. Pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models. The possible linear or non-linear SUA-prehypertension association was modelled by restricted cubic splines. RESULTS: We included 17 articles (17 studies) with a total of 79,358 participants and 34,591 cases of prehypertension. Compared with lowest levels of SUA, risk of prehypertension increased 46% (RR 1.46, 95% CI 1.28-1.66) for highest levels of SUA. For per 1 mg/dL increment in levels of SUA, risk of prehypertension increased by 12% (RR 1.12, 95% CI 1.08-1.17). Also, we found evidence of a linear SUA-prehypertension association (Pnon-linearity=.368). CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of SUA may be associated with increased risk of prehypertension. Present findings provide the evidence that lowering levels of SUA should be suggested in order to reduce the risk of prehypertension. More longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to clarify the optimal protective levels and whether reducing levels of SUA could prevent or control prehypertension and the progression of prehypertension to hypertension.
Subject(s)
Hypertension , Prehypertension , Humans , Hypertension/diagnosis , Hypertension/epidemiology , Medical History Taking , Observational Studies as Topic , Prehypertension/diagnosis , Prehypertension/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Uric AcidABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Various magnitudes of the risk of incident hypertension (IHTN) have been reported to be associated with increased serum uric acid (SUA) levels in observational studies, however, whether a dose-response relation exists is unclear. We aimed to quantitatively evaluate the SUA-IHTN association. METHODS: We searched the PubMed and Embase databases for relevant articles published prior to 21 October 2019. Random-effects models were used to estimate the summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the IHTN risk in relation to SUA levels. We used restricted cubic splines to model the dose-response association between SUA levels and IHTN. RESULTS: A total of 17 articles (17 prospective cohort studies) including 321,716 adults and 65,890 IHTN cases were identified. The pooled RR was 1.10 (95% CI 1.07-1.13; I2=90.7%; n = 17) per 1 mg/dL change in the SUA level. In addition, we found evidence of a linear and positive dose-response association between SUA levels and IHTN (Pnon-linearity = 0.069). The results of the subgroup and sensitivity analyses were consistent with those of the primary analysis. CONCLUSION: These data suggested that people with higher SUA levels had a higher IHTN risk. SUA levels need to be controlled to reduce or eliminate the risk of IHTN associated with SUA levels. Clinical trial studies or diagnostic studies are needed to determine the optimal cut-off point for SUA.
