Association between serum uric acid and cardiovascular risk factors among elderly people in Taiwan.

In order to understand the distribution of serum uric acid and the relationship between serum uric acid and the cardiovascular risk factor among elderly people, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Chung-Shing-Shin-Tseun community in Taiwan in May 1998. All individuals aged 65 and over were collected. A total of 1123 persons, out of 1774 registered residents, were contacted by face-to-face interview. The response rate was 63.3%. However, only 586 respondents had blood tests and completed questionnaires. Analysis in this study was based on these 586 subjects. The mean uric acid values were 7.4 +/- 1.8 mg/dl in men and 6.3 +/- 1.6 mg/dl in women, respectively (p < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression showed that serum uric acid was significantly correlated with sex and body mass index. Simple correlation showed that serum uric acid was significantly correlated with diastolic pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride and creatinine. Age, systolic pressure and fasting glucose were not related to serum uric acid. In our conclusion, the uric acid values are high among elderly people. The serum uric acid levels are significantly associated with the cardiovascular risk factors among elderly people.