Absence of an association between serum uric acid and mortality from cardiovascular disease: NIPPON DATA 80, 1980-1994. National Integrated Projects for Prospective Observation of Non-communicable Diseases and its Trend in the Aged.

Although elevated serum uric acid has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, its importance as a risk factor is still controversial. The authors examined the relationship between serum uric acid levels and death from all causes, including cardiovascular disease and stroke. The baseline data were collected in the National Cardiovascular Survey in 1980. The survey was carried out for all household members aged 30 years or older in 300 districts, which were randomly selected throughout Japan. The number who participated in the survey was 10,897. The vital status was ascertained in 1994. Finally, 8172 subjects were available for the analyses. There were 108,284 person-years of follow-up, and 960 deaths from all causes, 249 deaths from cardiovascular disease, and 174 deaths from stroke. After adjustment for age and other cardiovascular disease risk factors, uric acid levels were not associated with mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, or stroke. These findings indicate that serum uric acid levels are not related to increased risk for death from all causes, including cardiovascular disease and stroke in a Japanese population.