J Korean Med Sci.  2011 Mar;26(3):386-391. 10.3346/jkms.2011.26.3.386.

The Relationship between Normal Serum Uric Acid and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

• Hwang IC
• Suh SY
• Suh AR
• Ahn HY

• KMID: 2157876
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2011.26.3.386

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to determine the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) level and the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We analyzed data of 9,019 Koreans who visited a health check up center. The SUA levels of all of these subjects were within the normal range. The participants were divided into 4 groups according to the quartiles of the SUA levels for both sexes. Hepatic steatosis was diagnosed on the basis of ultrasonographic findings. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was performed across the SUA quartiles. The presence of NAFLD and metabolic abnormalities were found significantly in subjects with high-normal SUA levels. After adjustment for age, metabolic components, and the liver-function test, the adjusted odds ratio (OR, 95% CIs) for the presence of NAFLD in the subjects with the highest SUA level was 1.46 (1.17-1.82) for men and 2.13 (1.42-3.18) for women, as compared to the subjects with the lowest SUA level. Our results suggest that increased SUA concentrations, even within the normal range, are independently associated with the presence of NAFLD.

Keyword

Normal Serum Uric Acid; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

MeSH Terms

Adult
Fatty Liver/*blood/physiopathology
Female
Humans
Liver Function Tests
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Republic of Korea
Risk Factors
Sex Characteristics
Uric Acid/*blood

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Prevalences of metabolic syndrome (MS) and each component of MS according to the serum uric acid (SUA) quartiles. Metabolic syndrome was defined as having 3 or more of the following criteria: an waist circumference of ≥ 90 cm for men and ≥ 85 cm for women; a triglyceride level of ≥ 150 mg/dL; HDL cholesterol < 40 mg/dL for men and < 50 mg/dL for women; blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg or receiving antihypertensive drugs; fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥ 100 mg/dL or receiving antidiabetic medication. *P for trend < 0.05.

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