Hypouricemia in cirrhosis reflects hemodynamic alterations.

In a population of 27 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis, systemic hemodynamics were investigated and correlated to uric acid concentrations, fractional uric acid excretion, and creatinine clearances. Mean serum uric acid concentration was lower than in normal controls, and this was related to abnormally high uric acid clearances. Uric acid concentrations correlated positively to total peripheral resistances and negatively to cardiac output. Fractional uric acid excretions correlated negatively to total peripheral resistances and positively to cardiac output. There was no correlation between creatinine clearances and any variable of systemic hemodynamics. Serum uric acid concentration and fractional uric acid excretion are dependent of the hemodynamic state in cirrhosis.