Should we be more aware of gender aspects in hyperuricemia? Analysis of the population-based German health interview and examination survey for adults (DEGS1)

• Published in: Maturitas Vol. 153; pp. 33 - 40
• Main Authors: Engel, Bettina, Hoffmann, Falk, Freitag, Michael H., Jacobs, Hannes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2021
• Subjects: Comorbidities; Cut-offs; Gender; Gout; Hyperuricemia; Uric acid; Hyperuricemia; Gender; Uric acid; Comorbidities; Gout; Cut-offs
• ISSN: 0378-5122; 1873-4111
• DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2021.08.002

•The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 9.7% in the overall adult German population (14.7% in men and 2.8% in women).•The risk of the examined comorbid conditions was higher in women at a lower uric acid level, except for coronary heart disease and chronic kidney disease.•Future studies of gout and hyperuricemia should report sex-specific results. While gout is a well-known entity, little research has been conducted on its pathophysiology. There is growing evidence that women with hyperuricemia are at higher cardiovascular risk than men with hyperuricemia. We aim to evaluate whether gender-specific cut-offs should be considered. Cross-sectional study (the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults; DEGS1). Self-reported gout or hyperuricemia and uric acid level. Of 6,918 participants (mean age 47.2 years; 50.5% females), 9.7% had had a diagnosis of hyperuricemia or gout at least once in their lifetime. Men were nearly twice as often affected as women (12.9 vs. 6.5%). In women, the prevalence of cardiovascular and renal diseases increased with higher uric acid level to a much greater extent than in men. This association remained in multivariate analyses. No commonly accepted cut-off value for uric acid has been established. Overall, women were at lower risk of hyperuricemia. However, women were at higher risk of having cardiovascular and renal comorbidities, even at lower uric acid levels. Our results are in line with the accumulating evidence that we should consider gender in gout and hyperuricemia.