Serum uric acid is independently associated with hypertension in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Hypertension (HT) is highly prevalent in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Serum uric acid (SUA) has been associated with HT in the general population. The mutual exclusion of gout and RA, and the systemic inflammatory component of RA may alter this association in this patient population. We explored a potential association between SUA levels and HT in RA and evaluated whether this association is independent of HT risk factors, RA characteristics and relevant drugs. A total of 400 consecutive RA patients were assessed. SUA and complete biochemical profile were measured. Demographic, HT-related factors, RA characteristics and drugs were assessed as potential covariates. Results were analysed using binary logistic models to test the independence of the association between SUA and HT. SUA levels were higher in hypertensive compared to normotensive RA patients (5.44+/-1.6 mg dl(-1) (323.57+/-95.17 micromol l(-1)) vs 4.56+/-1.1 mg dl(-1) (271.23+/-65.43 micromol l(-1)), P<0.001). When adjusted for HT risk factors, renal function, RA characteristics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, oral prednisolone, cyclosporine, leflunomide and low-dose aspirin, the odds of being a hypertensive RA patient per 1 mg dl(-1)(59.48 micromol l(-1)) SUA increase were significantly increased: OR=1.59 (95% CI: 1.21-2.1, P=0.001). This was also significant for the subgroup of patients who were not on diuretics (OR=1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.05; P=0.011). This cross-sectional study suggests that SUA levels are independently associated with HT in RA patients. Prospective longitudinal studies are needed to confirm and further explore the causes and implications of this association.     

Serum uric acid levels and risk for acute ischaemic non-embolic stroke in elderly subjects

BACKGROUND. Elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels have been proposed as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Recent evidence suggests that treatments with a hypouricaemic action have a favourable effect on CV event prevention. OBJECTIVES. The association between SUA and acute ischaemic/non-embolic stroke was assessed in a population-based case-control study in the prefecture of Ioannina, Epirus, Greece. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. A total of 163 patients aged older than 70 years (88 men and 75 women) admitted due to a first-ever-in-a-lifetime acute ischaemic/non-embolic stroke and 166 volunteers (87 men and 79 women) without a history of CV disease were included. The association between SUA and stroke was determined by multivariate logistic regression modelling after adjusting for potential confounding factors. RESULTS. Stroke patients showed higher concentrations of SUA compared with controls (333.1+/-101.1 micromol L(-1) vs. 285.5+/-83.3 micromol L(-1); P<0.001). In univariate analysis elevated SUA levels were associated with increased risk for ischaemic stroke [odds ratio (OR) 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21-1.64, P<0.0001]. Compared to patients with SUA levels in the lowest quintile, those within the highest quintile had a 2.8-time increase in the odds of suffering an ischaemic stroke (OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.67-4.73, P<0.001). This association was strong even after controlling for gender, age, body mass index, the presence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, drug treatment and lipids (OR 2.90, 95% CI 1.59-5.30, P=0.001). CONCLUSION. Elevated SUA is associated with an increased risk for acute ischaemic/non-embolic stroke in a strictly defined population of elderly individuals independently of concurrent metabolic derangements. This association may need to be considered when treating the elderly.     

Changes in serum uric acid and the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in the general population

Background and aimLongitudinal evidence on change in serum (SUA) with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality is limited, as many prior studies focused on baseline SUA. Further, the optimal threshold range of SUA change is unclear.Methods and resultsA total of 63,127 participants without history of CVD were enrolled. Change in SUA was determined by the difference of SUA levels between 2006 and 2010, which divided by baseline SUA was percent change in SUA. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculated the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Our analysis also included restricted cubic spline model and three-piecewise Cox proportion hazards model to address the non-linearity between percent change in SUA and outcomes. During a median follow-up of 7.04 years, 3341 CVD and 3238 deaths occurred. We did not observed a significant association between changes in SUA and CVD. However, changes in SUA at extreme were associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality, the HRs (95% CIs) were 1.15 (1.02–1.29) and 1.20 (1.06–1.35) in the first and fifth quintile group, compared with the third quintile group. We further found a U-shaped association between percent change in SUA and all-cause mortality, and the optimal range was within 20%.ConclusionsChanges in SUA at extreme were risk factors for all-cause mortality, but not for CVD in the general population. The findings are relevant for role of SUA in the management of CVD risk and may contribute to improve identification of patients at higher risk.     

Significance of high-normal serum uric acid level as a risk factor for arterial stiffness in healthy Korean men

A high serum uric acid (SUA) level is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the relationship between arterial stiffness and uric acid in healthy subjects with a normal SUA level. We assessed whether a high-normal uric acid level increased arterial stiffness by measuring brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) in healthy subjects. Among 779 subjects who visited the health promotion center, 393 men and 234 women with normal SUA levels (male: 3.5-8.0 mg/dl, female: 2.5-5.4 mg/dl) were divided into quartiles: in men, Q1 (n = 90, 3.5-4.3 mg/dl), Q2 (n = 94, 4.4-5.1 mg/dl), Q3 (n = 106, 5.2-5.9 mg/dl) and Q4 (n = 103, 6.0-8.0 mg/dl); in women, Q1 (n = 57, 2.5-3.6 mg/dl), Q2 (n = 49, 3.7-4.1 mg/dl), Q3 (n = 61, 4.2-4.6 mg/dl) and Q4 (n = 67, 4.7-5.4 mg/dl). The mean values of ba-PWV increased gradually by SUA quartile. The men's SUA had an independent, positive association with ba-PWV after correcting for age, glucose, body mass index, blood pressure, resting heart rate, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and triglyceride (R (2) = 0.39, adjusted R (2) = 0.37, p < 0.001). The odds ratios (95% CI) for high ba-PWVs (> 75th percentile, 1473 cm/s) in men were 1.89 (0.69-5.20, Q2), 2.36 (1.10-5.08, Q3), and 2.91 (1.39-6.11, Q4), after adjusting for confounding factors (p < 0.001). In women, SUA showed no independent association with ba-PWV (p = 0.186). After adjusting for confounding factors, the mean ba-PWV values of Q3 (1418 cm/s) and Q4 (1421 cm/s) in men were higher than those of Q1 (1355 cm/s) (p < 0.05). Above the SUA level of 5.2 mg/dl, arterial stiffness was increased in healthy Korean men.     

Serum lipoprotein(a) levels and apolipoprotein(a) isoform size and risk for first-ever acute ischaemic nonembolic stroke in elderly individuals

In a population-based case-control study, we investigated the association of acute ischaemic stroke with lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels and apolipoprotein (Apo) (a) isoform size in subjects aged older than 70 years. A total of 163 patients with a first-ever-in-a-lifetime acute ischaemic/nonembolic stroke and 166 controls were included. Compared to controls, stroke patients exhibited higher Lp(a) concentrations (median value, 12.2 mg/dl versus 6.4 mg/dl, p < 0.001) and a higher frequency of small Apo(a) isoforms (44.2% versus 29.5%, p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant association of acute ischaemic stroke with Lp(a) levels [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.37, 95% CI (1.12-1.67); p = 0.002], and small Apo(a) isoform size [OR, 1.74 (1.10-3.03); p = 0.04]. Compared to subjects with Lp(a) levels in the lowest quintile, those within the highest quintile had a 3.2-times adjusted risk to suffer an acute ischaemic/nonembolic stroke (1.60-6.62, 95% CI; p < 0.001). Furthermore, analysis of interaction between lipid variables revealed that in the presence of elevated Lp(a) levels the inverse relationship between HDL-cholesterol levels and ischaemic stroke was negated [OR, 1.01 (1.00-1.03); p = 0.015]. Our study suggests that determination of Lp(a) levels and Apo(a) isoform size may be important in identifying elderly individuals at risk of ischaemic stroke independently of other risk factors and concurrent metabolic derangements.     

Serum uric acid and C-reactive protein levels in patients with chronic kidney disease

Either inflammation or hyperuricemia has been related with increased cardiovascular risk and mortality. A hypothetical relationship between serum uric acid levels (SUA) and inflammatory markers has never been tested in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in CKD patients, and to test the hypothesis of a relationship between SUA and CRP levels. The study group consisted of 337 patients (174 males, mean age 63 +/- 16 years) with advanced chronic renal failure not yet on dialysis. None of them had overt inflammatory or infectious diseases. High sensitivity CRP levels were analyzed as a binary (above or below median value), or continuous variable (log-transformed CRP), by multiple logistic or linear regression analysis, respectively. Demographics, clinical, and biochemical characteristics, including SUA levels, were the variables tested in these analysis. In a subset of 169 patients without diabetes, the same analysis were carried out, with the inclusion of fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR as independent variables. Median CRP level was 3.25 mg/L, and mean SUA level was 7.59 +/- 1.94 mg/dl. Patients with CRP levels above the median had significantly higher mean SUA level than that of the rest of study patients (7.93 +/- 1.79 vs 7.24 +/- 2.03 mg/dl, p = 0.001). SUA levels correlated significantly with log-transformed CRP levels (r = 0. 16, p = 0.0022). The relationship between SUA and CRP levels remained statistically significant after adjustment for age, sex, comorbid index, obesity, residual renal function, diuretic and allopurinol treatment, in the multivariate logistic and linear regression models (OR: 1.296, p = 0.0003; and beta: 0.204, p = 0.0002). The significant association between SUA and CRP levels did not change when HOMA-IR and fasting insulin levels were included as independent variables in the subset of 169 patients without diabetes. In conclusion, SUA levels are related with CRP levels in CKD patients.     

Prevalence and associations of hypertension and its control in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) associates with excessive cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hypertension (HT) contributes significantly to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Little is known about the factors that influence blood pressure (BP) in patients with RA. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of HT in a secondary care cohort of RA patients, and aimed to identify factors associated with its presence and inadequate control. METHODS: A total of 400 consecutive RA patients were studied. HT was defined as systolic BP >/=140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP >/=90 mmHg or current use of antihypertensive drugs. The association of HT with several demographic and RA-related factors, comorbidities and drugs was evaluated using logistic regression. RESULTS: HT was present in 282 (70.5%) patients. Of those, 171 (60.6%) received anti-hypertensive therapy, but 111 (39.4%) remained undiagnosed. Of those treated, only 37/171 (21.8%) were optimally controlled. Multivariable logistic regression revealed age (OR = 1.054, CI: 1.02 to 1.07, P = 0.001), body mass index [BMI (OR = 1.06, CI: 1.003-1.121, P = 0.038)] and prednisolone use (OR = 2.39, CI: 1.02-5.6, P = 0.045) to be independently associated with the presence of HT. BMI (OR = 1.11, CI: 1.02-1.21, P = 0.002) and the presence of CVD (OR = 4.01, CI: 1.27-12.69, P = 0.018) associated with uncontrolled HT. CONCLUSIONS: HT is highly prevalent in RA, under-diagnosed particularly in the young, and under-treated particularly in old RA patients with CVD. RA patients receiving steroids should be specifically targeted for screening and treatment; those with any cardiovascular comorbidity may require particularly aggressive monitoring and treatment strategies.     

缺血性心力衰竭患者心房颤动与血清尿酸水平的关联性

目的 探讨缺血性心力衰竭（HF）患者心房颤动（AF）与血清尿酸（SUA）水平的关联性。方法 连续性收集于2012年10月~2014年10月就诊于佛山市中医院的缺血性HF患者363例,根据心电图或者病史记录将患者分为AF组和无AF组,比较两组间基线特征及SUA与AF的相关性。结果 363例患者中,共有78例患者患有AF,285例患者为正常窦性心律。与无AF患者相比,AF患者的SUA水平显著提高〔(64±21) vs.(57±19) mg/L,P<0.01〕。同时,AF组患者的年龄更大〔(71±8) vs.(66±11)岁,P<0.01〕。此外,AF患者的超声心动图指标,包括左室射血分数、左房内径、左心室舒张末期内径以及左心室舒张末期容积,同样显著高于窦性心律正常的患者。多因素回归分析显示,校正相关影响因素后,SUA水平仍为AF的独立相关因素(OR=1.27,95% CI,1.06-1.52,P≤0.01)。结论 SUA水平是缺血性HF患者AF的独立相关因素。     

Association between uric acid and carotid atherosclerosis in elderly persons

OBJECTIVE: Several cohort studies have shown a link between serum uric acid (SUA) and subsequent cardiovascular disease. However, such an association did not remain significant after adjusting for concomitant risk factors for atherosclerosis in some studies. Thus, the role of SUA as an independent risk factor remains controversial. We therefore investigated the association between SUA and sclerotic lesions of common carotid atherosclerosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated sclerotic lesions of the common carotid arterial intima-media thickness (IMT) by ultrasonography in 398 men aged 74+/-8 (range, 60-97) years and 521 women aged 75+/-8 (range, 60-104) years. To investigate the relation between SUA and various factors, all subjects were divided into three groups based on the tertile of SUA. RESULTS: Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis using IMT as an objective variable, adjusted by various risk factors as explanatory variables showed that SUA [B, 0.0099; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.0022-0.0175] was a significant independent contributing factor along with known risk factors such as age, sex, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, antihypertensive drug use, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol. Multiple logistic regression analysis for carotid IMT as a tertile of SUA and dependent variables showed that the adjusted odds ratio was 1.25 (95% CI, 0.87-1.78) for those in the middle tertile (4.2-5.5 mg/dl), and 1.66 (95% CI, 1.16-2.39) for those in the highest tertile (5.6-14.1 mg/dl) compared to that for subjects in the lowest tertile of SUA levels (0.51-4.1 mg/dl). CONCLUSION: We suggest that SUA is a risk factor or marker for ultrasonographically determined IMT.     

Long-term exposure to medium-dose glucocorticoid therapy associates with hypertension in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) associates with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality that is due to both traditional and novel cardiovascular risk factors. Hypertension (HT), one of the most common risk factors for cardiovascular disease, is highly prevalent in RA. The effects of long-term glucocorticoid (GC) therapy on blood pressure have not been established yet. This study examined whether GC exposure associates with HT in patients with RA. METHODS: Four hundred consecutive RA patients with detailed clinical and laboratory assessments were categorized into three groups according to GC exposure: no or limited exposure (N/L-E); a low-dose (< 7.5 mg) long-term exposure (LD/LT-E); and medium-dose (> or = 7.5 mg) long-term exposure (MD/LT-E). The association of GC exposure with HT was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: HT was more prevalent in the MD/LT-E group (84.7%) than the LD/LT-E or N/L-E groups (70.7 and 67.3%, respectively, P = 0.028). Logistic regression revealed increased odds for HT when comparing MD/LT-E with N/L-E, after adjustment for HT risk factors [odds ratio (OR) = 2.57, 95% CI 1.01-6.56, P = 0.049] and RA disease characteristics (OR = 3.64, 95% CI: 1.36-9.77, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: MD/LT GC exposure associates with a very high prevalence of HT. This appears to be independent of other risk factors for HT or of channelling bias due to disease severity, even though the latter cannot be excluded given the cross-sectional nature of our study. RA patients in this GC exposure group should be particularly targeted for early identification and aggressive management of HT.     

Association between serum uric acid level and hypertension in a Chinese elderly rural population

Previous studies have examined the association between elevated serum uric acid (SUA) level and hypertension; however, the association in the Chinese elderly is still uncertain. A cross-sectional study was performed in a rural district of Beijing. A total of 2,397 participants (967 men and 1,430 women) completed the survey. The SUA levels of participants were categorized into four levels using the quartiles (P25, P50, and P75) as cutoff values. Participant was diagnosed as hyperuricemia if the SUA level was ≥417 μmol/L (male) or ≥357 μmol/L (female). Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg and/or receiving antihypertensive drug treatment. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the association between SUA and hypertension. We found that higher SUA level was associated with the increased risk of hypertension in both sexes, even after adjusting for potential confounding variables. In total, the risk for having hypertension increased by 0.3% per 1 μmol/L increment in SUA level, increased by 95% for the highest vs. lowest quartile of SUA level, and increased by 111% in the hyperuricemia patients. Moreover, we found that the association was more pronounced in the male participants. There were approximately J-shaped relationships between SUA level (quartiles) and hypertension in all age groups. Higher SUA levels are positively associated with hypertension among the Chinese rural elderly. Further studies are still required to determine the relationship between SUA level and hypertension and to explore its potential biological mechanisms underlying the gender-related association in the elderly population.

Abbreviations: CVD; cardiovascular disease; BMI: body mass index; BP: blood pressure; SUA: serum uric acid; TC: total cholesterol; TG: triglycerides; HDL-C: high-density lipoprotein; LDL-C: low-density lipoprotein; FPG: fasting blood glucose; OR: odds ratio; CI: confidence interval; SD: standard deviation     

中老年人群类风湿关节炎合并心血管疾病的相关因素分析

目的 探讨类风湿关节炎患者合并心血管疾病可能的危险因素.方法 回顾性分析唐山市工人医院179例均符合美国风湿学会标准的类风湿关节炎患者的患病情况和心血管疾病危险因素,探讨类风湿关节炎合并心血管疾病的危险因素.结果 单因素分析提示类风湿关节炎合并心血管疾病发生的风险与年龄、类风湿关节炎病程、内膜中膜厚度、DAS28评分、关节外脏器受累数、类风湿因子、血小板计数、C反应蛋白和总胆固醇水平有关(P＜0.05);多因素分析提示类风湿关节炎合并心血管疾病发生的风险与DAS28病情活动性评分(OR=2.403)、关节外脏器受累数(OR=1.197)、类风湿因子(OR =2.510)、血小板计数(OR=1.166)、C反应蛋白(OR=1.700)和总胆固醇(OR=1.351)有关,与其他传统心血管疾病危险因素无关.结论 类风湿关节炎增加了心血管疾病发生的风险,为治疗和预防心血管疾病方面提供部分依据.     

The relationship between oxidized LDL and other cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical CVD in different ethnic groups: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Several groups have demonstrated an association between established CHD and elevated oxidized LDL (oxLDL). The relation with cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical CVD is less clear. Therefore, we examined this association in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis cohort: 879 persons without CHD, all non-statin users, examined cross-sectionally. oxLDL was measured with a monoclonal antibody 4E6-based ELISA. The presence of subclinical CVD was defined as plaque occurrence in carotid arteries with > or = 25 stenosis, ankle-brachial blood pressure index (ABI) < 0.9 and coronary calcification based on Agatston calcium score > or = 200. In a multivariate model, dyslipidemia (adverse levels of cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides), inflammation (elevated fibrinogen), gender (male), ethnicity (Black), and current smoking explained the most variation in oxLDL (model R2=0.41). In bivariate analyses, persons with subclinical CVD had higher levels of oxLDL (1.22 mg/dl versus 0.95 mg/dl; P=0.0002). Adjustment for risk factor correlates attenuated associations with subclinical CVD (P=0.026). In conclusion, oxLDL is associated with subclinical CVD by its relationship with many cardiovascular risk factors.     

多环芳香烃暴露与类风湿关节炎的相关性研究

目的基于大样本数据分析多环芳香烃(PAHs)暴露与类风湿关节炎(RA)的相关性。方法从美国国家健康与营养调查数据库筛选2005—2014年资料完整的RA患者(RA组)和非RA人群(非RA组)为研究对象,通过Logistic回归模型分析尿中8个单羟基(OH-)PAHs与RA之间的关系。结果共有357例RA患者和5256例非RA对照者纳入研究,经Logistic分析调整混杂因素后,与最低四分位数(Q1)浓度水平比较,OH-PAHs混合物在最高四分位数(Q4)浓度水平会增加RA患病的风险(OR=1.60、95%CI:1.16~2.23,P<0.05)。对于单个化合物,与Q1比较,1-羟基萘(OR=1.59、95%CI:1.14~2.23)、2-羟基萘(OR=1.66、95%CI:1.19~2.32)、2-羟基芴(OR=1.61、95%CI:1.17~2.22)、3-羟基芴(OR=1.64、95%CI:1.18~2.27)和1-羟基菲(OR=1.38、95%CI:1.00~1.94)、在Q4浓度水平下显著增加RA患病的风险(均P<0.05);而1-羟基芘(OR=0.60、95%CI:0.43~0.83)却在Q2浓度水平下能够降低RA的风险(P<0.01)。结论PAHs混合暴露是RA的危险因素,而单个OH-PAH化合物与RA发病之间的关联性是双向的,其依赖于OH-PAHs的种类和浓度。     

Antioxidants and other novel cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis in a large population sample

OBJECTIVE: To compare antioxidants and other novel and traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in participants with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and non-RA controls in a large population sample. METHODS: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III) was a cross-sectional population survey in which subjects ages >or=60 underwent a musculoskeletal examination. RA subjects were defined as those who met >or=3 of 6 available 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. Non-RA subjects were defined as those who met no ACR criteria. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses of the association between RA and each novel and traditional CVD risk factor in RA versus non-RA subjects. RESULTS: The sample included 5,302 subjects ages >or=60, with 131 (2.5%) RA and 4,444 (84%) non-RA participants. A total of 727 subjects were excluded. Plasma levels of antioxidants alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, and lycopene were significantly lower in RA subjects compared with non-RA subjects in multivariate analysis adjusting for potential confounders. Compared with non-RA participants, RA subjects were more likely to have increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in multivariate analysis adjusting for potential confounders. RA and non-RA participants had similar prevalence of traditional CVD risk factors and previous CVD. CONCLUSION: In this large population study, RA subjects had similar prevalence of previous CVD and traditional CVD risk factors as controls. Among novel CVD risk factors, plasma carotenoid levels were significantly lower and CRP level was significantly higher in RA compared with non-RA subjects after adjustment for potential confounders. Further research should evaluate whether these differences account for the observed increased incidence of CVD in individuals with RA.     

Frequency of established cardiovascular disease and its risk factors in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most serious complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study investigated the frequency of established CVD and its associated risk factors in Chinese patients with SLE. A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis was conducted of 1,072 consecutive patients with SLE from a single center. Patients with CVD were identified on the basis of medical record documentation. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the risk factors of CVD. Of the 1,072 patients with SLE, 71 (6.6%) had CVD. Patients with CVD were older than patients without CVD (39.0 ± 15.6 vs. 31.9 ± 13.3 years; P < 0.001), the frequency of CVD in patients aged ≤19 years, between 20 and 39 years, between 40 and 69 years, and greater than 60 years was increased by 3.4%, 5.5%, 9.2%, 20.4%, respectively. The frequency of CVD was higher in SLE patients with nephritis than without nephritis (7.6% vs. 3.8%; P = 0.026). Multivariate regression analyses confirmed that age ≥60 years (OR = 5.098; 95% CI 1.333, 19.488), higher diastolic blood pressure (OR = 1.050; 95% CI 1.022, 1.078), higher serum creatinine levels (OR = 1.002; 95% CI 1.000, 1.003), and long-term use of glucocorticoids (OR = 1.005; 95% CI 1.000, 1.010) were risk factors for CVD. HDL-C levels (OR = 0.121; 95% CI 0.041, 0.358) were negatively associated with CVD in patients with SLE. Our data suggest that the frequency of CVD was high in Chinese patients with SLE, and independent risk factors for CVD were increased age, higher diastolic blood pressure, higher serum creatinine levels, long-term use of glucocorticoids, and lower HDL-C levels.     

血清尿酸水平和心力衰竭风险的相关性研究

目的研究血清尿酸(serum uric acid,SUA)水平和心力衰竭(心衰)发生风险的关系。方法纳入927例在北京医院心内科住院诊断为心力衰竭的患者作为病例组,并按年龄、性别匹配927例无心衰的同时期住院患者作为对照组。通过电子病历系统回顾性地收集两组的基线血清尿酸值以及其他重要的基线资料。应用logistic回归分析研究SUA是否为心衰的危险因素。结果心衰病例组和对照组基线年龄、性别、体质指数均衡可比(P>0.05)。相比于对照组,病例组SUA水平升高(P=0.014),以及病例组基线患有高血压、糖尿病、冠心病的比例显著高于对照组(P<0.001)。Logistic回归分析在矫正年龄、性别、体质指数、肾小球滤过率、高血压、糖尿病、冠心病以及总胆固醇、三酰甘油、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平后,显示基线SUA水平每增加1 mg/dl时发生心衰风险升高18.3%(OR:1.183,95%CI:1.088-1.287),以及基线有HUA患者比无HUA者发生心衰风险升高50.7%(OR:1.507,95%CI:1.122-2.023)。结论血清尿酸水平升高是发生心力衰竭的独立预测因素。     

老年高血压患者血尿酸水平与高血压危险因素的关系

目的研究血尿酸水平与高血压危险因素的关系,探讨血尿酸水平对高血压发生的预测价值。方法选择老年高血压患者230例(高血压组)及健康体检者202例(对照组)。根据血尿酸水平,按四分位法,将所有入选者分为≤288 μmol/L分位108例、289～333 μmol/L分位109例、334～386 μmol/L分位108例、≥387 μmol/L分位107例。分析血尿酸与高血压患病率及部分高血压危险因素是否有相关性。结果高血压组患者血尿酸水平明显高于对照组(P0.01);老年高血压患者血尿酸水平升高与体重指数、总胆固醇和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇密切相关(P0.01);老年高血压患病率与血尿酸水平同步升高;logistic回归分析显示,血尿酸水平和体重指数是老年高血压发病的独立危险因素之一(OR=1.006.95% CI:1.002～1.009,P0.05;OR=1.1 66,95% CI:1.047～1.298,P0.05)。结论高尿酸血症与多种高血压危险因素具有密切关系,是高血压发病的独立危险因素。     

Serum uric acid as an independent predictor of early death after acute stroke.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of uric acid (UA) levels in acute stroke is unclear, so the objective of this study was to determine the association between levels of serum UA (SUA) and mortality in acute stroke. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients (n=435) presenting with ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage were included in the study. The length of stay in hospital and the occurrence of death were recorded. On univariate analysis, the occurrence of death was associated with older age, smoking, presence of congestive heart failure or atrial fibrillation, absence of hyperlipidemia, and intracerebral hemorrhage as the index event. Furthermore, glucose, urea, creatinine and SUA at admission were significantly higher in patients who died, whereas total and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly lower. On multiple logistic regression analysis, the independent relationship between higher SUA levels and death was confirmed (odds ratio (OR), 1.37; 95%confidence interval (CI), 1.13-1.67; p=0.001). The only other variables independently associated with the occurrence of death were urea concentration and presence of atrial fibrillation. If urate was >7.8 mg/dl (0.47 mmol/L), then there would be a high probability of early death (87%). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of SUA are independently associated with an increased risk of early death in acute stroke.     

C-Reactive protein is inversely related to physical fitness in middle-aged subjects

INTRODUCTION: Physical fitness has a protective effect with regard to the risk of developing coronary disease or diabetes. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are directly related to increased risk of coronary disease and diabetes. However, data on the association between physical fitness and CRP are sparse. METHODS: Physical fitness was assessed in a population-based cross-sectional study (n = 892; age 50 +/- 9 years) using the Bruce treadmill protocol. CRP was measured using a high-sensitivity assay. RESULTS: Geometric mean CRP levels were calculated across quartiles of physical fitness after adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, smoking habit, presence of diabetes and hypertension, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and use of hormone replacement therapy, statins, and aspirin. CRP levels decreased with increasing quartiles of fitness (P for trend <0.0001). When used as a continuous variable in a stepwise linear regression model, the geometric mean of CRP decreased by 0.061 mg/L (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.034-0.089 mg/L) for each 1 unit increase in metabolic equivalents (METs). Multivariate logistic regression models showed that compared to subjects in the lowest fitness quintile, subjects in the highest fitness quintile had significantly lower adjusted odds of having a high-risk (>3 mg/L) CRP level (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.39-0.71, P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: CRP concentration decreases continuously with increasing levels of physical fitness. The health-related salutary effects of physical fitness may be mediated, in part, through an antiinflammatory mechanism.