Serum uric acid is positively associated with pulmonary function in Korean health screening examinees.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether level of serum uric acid (SUA) is linked to pulmonary function in health screening examinees without overt medical conditions.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study on 69,928 Koreans that participated in an annual health check.

RESULTS

Percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%) were positively correlated with SUA in both genders (FVC%: r = .361; FEV1%: r = .314 in males and FVC%: r = .413; FEV1%: r = .382 in females, all p < .001). When the 2nd, 3rd and lowest FEV1% quartile were compared to the highest quartile group (the reference) by regression analysis, the adjusted ORs for hyperuricemia in males were 0.876 (95% CI, 0.809-0.949), 0.631 (0.574-0.695), and 0.311 (0.278-0.349), respectively. The adjusted ORs for hyperuricemia when the 2nd, 3rd and lowest FEV1% quartile were compared to the highest quartile in males were 0.791 (95% CI, 0.729-0.859), 0.565 (0.513-0.623), and 0.302 (0.270-0.337), respectively (p for trend <.001). Similarly, the adjusted OR of having hyperuricemia in females decreased significantly across FEV1% and FVC% quartile groups compared to the reference.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperuricemia may have a positive effect on pulmonary function in middle aged healthy population.