Association of serum uric acid with functional disability in older subjects: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The role of serum uric acid (SUA) in the development of adverse health outcomes in advanced age is still uncertain.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess the association of disability with SUA levels in older community-dwelling subjects.

METHODS: We assessed the association of disability with SUA in all 351 inhabitants of Tuscania (Italy) aged 75+. Functional ability was estimated using the instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).

RESULTS: In logistic regression, increasing SUA levels were associated with disability (OR = 1.22; 95%CI = 1.01-1.48; P = .036), after adjusting. The association was independent of both gender and age (P for interaction > 0.050). SUA levels above 5.5 mg/dL best predicted disability.

CONCLUSIONS: In older subjects, SUA levels are associated with disability; the cut off level above 5.5 mg/dL might be adopted in pharmacological trials aiming at reducing the incidence and progression of disability by reducing SUA, and for identifying subjects at increased risk of disability.