A cross-sectional study of the association of hyperuricemia and sarcopenia in Chinese adults using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Abstract Background Sarcopenia is characterized by progressive and systemic skeletal muscle disorder, leading to accelerated loss of muscle mass and function. It is associated with adverse outcomes such as falls, functional decline, frailty, and mortality. The pathogenesis of sarcopenia involves oxidative stress and uric acid (UA), a crucial antioxidant that scavenges oxygen free radicals and plays a vital role in maintaining stability against oxidative stress. The present study investigated the correlation between hyperuricemia and sarcopenia in Chinese individuals aged 45 and above, with a particular focus on age-related differences. The analysis was conducted using nationally representative data. Methods The present study involved 11,048 participants of the 2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The associations between sarcopenia (including its components) and hyperuricemia were evaluated using binary logistic and linear regression models. After dividing the participants into two subgroups—those aged 45–65 and those aged 65 and older—and conducting subgroup analysis, prospective age-related variations were investigated more deeply. Results In the overall population, adjusted analyses revealed an inverse relationship between sarcopenia and hyperuricemia. The prevalence of this phenomenon was particularly notable within the demographic of adults aged 65 years and older. The results of the linear regression analysis revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between hyperuricemia and hand grip strength (HGS), including in the 45−65 age bracket. Furthermore, this study found a positive correlation between hyperuricemia and skeletal muscle index (SMI) among the population aged 45 and older. Conclusion The results indicated a noteworthy correlation between hyperuricemia and elevated muscle mass with HGS among Chinese individuals aged 45 years and above. Elevated levels of blood uric acid may potentially exert a safeguarding influence against the onset of sarcopenia, particularly in individuals aged 65 years and above.