Non-Interventional Weight Changes Are Associated with Alterations in Serum Uric Acid Levels

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Serum uric acid is an established cardiovascular risk factor. Higher serum uric acid levels are associated with overweight and obesity. We assessed whether non-interventional weight changes affect serum uric acid levels. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 19,193 participants referred to annual medical screening. Body mass index (BMI) and serum uric acid were measured annually. Subjects were divided into five groups according to changes in BMI between visits: large reduction (reduction of more than 5% in BMI), moderate reduction (reduction of more than 2.5% and 5% or less in BMI), unchanged (up to 2.5% change in BMI), moderate increase (increase of more than 2.5% and 5% or less in BMI), and large increase (increase of more than 5% in BMI). The primary outcome was serum uric acid level changes between visits. Results: A decrease in serum uric acid levels was evident as BMI decreased and an increase in serum uric acid levels was associated with an increase in BMI. The proportion of patients whose serum uric acid levels were increased by at least 10% between visits increased with the relative increase in BMI, while the proportion of patients whose serum uric acid levels were reduced by at least 10% decreased with the relative decrease in BMI. Conclusions: Non-interventional weight changes, even modest, are associated with significant alterations in serum uric acid levels. Our findings may aid in better risk stratification and the primary prevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.