Sex difference in the association of serum uric acid with metabolic syndrome and its components: a cross-sectional study in a Chinese Yi population.

OBJECTIVES

Since the association between serum uric acid (SUA) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been reported extensively, it remains unclear whether SUA is associated with MetS and its components in a Chinese Yi population.

METHODS

This study recruited 1,903 people (912 men, 991 women) older than 18 years old from the Liangshan region in Sichuan province. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical indexes were measured by a standard protocol. SUA levels were divided into four quartiles by sex.

RESULTS

The prevalence of hyperuricemia and MetS is 21.0% and 17.1%, respectively. The levels of SUA were positively correlated with waist circumference, body mass index and triglycerides while negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in both sexes. Increased SUA levels were accompanied with prevalence of MetS and several components in both sexes (P < 0.05). Men with the highest SUA quartile had an increased risk of MetS [OR (95% CI): 3.101 (1.281-7.504)], and men with higher SUA levels had an increased risk of central obesity, high blood pressure and hypertriglyceridemia compared to the lowest SUA quartile. Women with higher SUA levels had an increased risk of MetS, central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and a lower risk of high blood pressure compared to the lowest SUA quartile.

CONCLUSIONS

SUA levels were closely associated with MetS and several components by sex in Chinese Yi population.