Gut Liver.  2010 Sep;4(3):378-383.

Serum Uric Acid as a Predictor for the Development of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Apparently Healthy Subjects: A 5-Year Retrospective Cohort Study

• Lee JW
• Cho YK
• Ryan M
• Kim H
• Lee SW
• Chang E
• Joo KJ
• Kim JT
• Kim BS
• Sung KC

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
This study evaluated the relationship between hyperuricemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by comparing the incidence rates of NAFLD in relation to serum uric acid levels in apparently healthy subjects during a 5-year period.
METHODS
Among 15,638 healthy Korean subjects who participated in a health-screening program in 2003 and 2008, respectively, 4954 subjects without other risk factors were enrolled in this study. We compared the incidence rates of NAFLD in 2008 with respect to baseline uric acid levels.
RESULTS
In 2003, serum uric acid levels were categorized into the following quartiles: 0.6-3.9, 3.9-4.8, 4.8-5.9, and 5.9-12.6 mg/dL. The incidence of NAFLD in 2008 increased with the level of baseline uric acid (5.6%, 9.8%, 16.2%, and 20.9%, respectively; p<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that hyperuricemia was associated with the development of NAFLD. When compared to the subjects in quartile 1, the odds ratio (OR) for the incidence of NAFLD for quartiles 2, 3, and 4 were 1.53 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-2.16; p=0.014], 1.69 (95% CI, 1.17-2.44; p=0.005), and 1.84 (95% CI, 1.25-2.71; p=0.002), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
High serum uric acid levels appear to be associated with an increased risk of the development of NAFLD.

Keyword

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Uric acid; Metabolic syndrome

MeSH Terms

Cohort Studies
Fatty Liver
Hyperuricemia
Incidence
Logistic Models
Odds Ratio
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Uric Acid
Fatty Liver
Uric Acid