Higher triglyceride level predicts hyperuricemia: A prospective study of 6-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Despite abundant evidence indicating that higher triglyceride (TG) levels are associated with increased risks of hyperuricemia (HUA), it is unclear whether TG levels can independently predict the incidence of HUA.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate whether TG is an independent risk factor of HUA in a cohort study.

METHODS: We explored the relationship between TG levels and HUA in a dynamic cohort established in 2009. During the 6 years of follow-up, 5442 subjects without HUA were studied. We divided subjects into 4 groups based on baseline TG levels and used the Cox hazard regression model to estimate HUA risk by TG quartile, after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis compared the risk of HUA incidence among individuals in each TG quartile.

RESULTS: The incidence of HUA in this cohort was 25.9%. The hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for HUA in the second, third, and fourth TG quartiles, compared with the first quartile, were 1.19 (1.01-1.40), 1.33 (1.13-1.57), and 1.62 (1.37-1.92), respectively. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis suggested that higher TG levels predicted higher incidences of HUA in a dose-dependent relationship. Stratification analyses showed that the association between TG levels and the presence of HUA was more pronounced in individuals aged <50 years, of obese, with normal estimated glomerular filtration rate, and with hypertension.

CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that TG level is a significant and independent risk factor for HUA.