Prevalence and risk factors of hyperuricemia: results of the Kailuan cohort study

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the serum uric acid (SUA) level and the prevalence of hyperuricemia (HUA) in Chinese population. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 100,226 employees (79.9% male) of the Kailuan Group using physical examination data in 2006-2007. HUA was defined as SUA >356.9 μmol/L (6.0 mg/dL) for women and SUA >416.4 μmol/L (7.0 mg/dL) for men. We investigated crude and age adjusted HUA prevalence and compared characteristics of subjects with and without HUA in men and women using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: SUA levels were 244.9 ± 71.5 μmol/L in women and 302.0 ± 83.5 μmol/L in men. About 8290 (8.27%) subjects were diagnosed with HUA. Age-adjusted prevalence of HUA was 8.02% in the total sample (6.87% in women and 8.57% in men). The SUA level and HUA prevalence showed U-shaped or J-shaped associations with age. Multivariate logistic regression revealed age, waist circumference, total cholesterol, triglyceride, hypertension and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease history, prolonged sitting, alcohol consumption, and oral diuretics were independent risk factors of HUA, while long sleep duration was protective against HUA. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HUA is 6.87% and 8.57% in Chinese women and men. HUA is likely related with life style and metabolic disorders.