Hyperuricemia as a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality.

The value of hyperuricemia as a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality was investigated in 3195 men and 3160 women aged 40-69 years in Finland. Hyperuricemia was associated with obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension and history of heart disease. The total mortality of hyperuricemic men and women in 5 years was significantly higher than the mortality of normouricemics. Cardiovascular mortality was not higher in hyperuricemics than in normouricemics. However, in hyperuricemic women without known heart disease cardiovascular mortality was significantly increased in the follow-up period between 5 and 12 years. Total and cardiovascular mortality rates were significantly higher in hyperuricemic men with known heart disease than in corresponding normouricemic men. A rise of serum uric acid may be secondary to more advanced atherosclerosis. Thus, hyperuricemia may be associated with more advanced heart disease and it is not an independent cause of cardiovascular diseases.