Laura Perna1, Ute Mons2, Ben Schöttker2, Hermann Brenner3. 1. German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging, Research, Im Neuenheimer Feld 581, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Electronic address: l.perna@dkfz-heidelberg.de. 2. German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging, Research, Im Neuenheimer Feld 581, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. 3. German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging, Research, Im Neuenheimer Feld 581, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Network Aging Research (NAR), University of Heidelberg, Bergheimer Straße 20, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several studies reported an association between concentrations of serum uric acid and cognitive function, but the evidence is contradictory. It is known that uric acid is associated with cardiovascular diseases, especially among women. Stratifying by sex and history of cardiovascular disease may clarify whether uric acid is an independent risk factor for cognitive dysfunction. METHODS: A population-based study was conducted in the German State of Saarland. A subgroup of participants aged ≥70years underwent a comprehensive assessment of cognitive function. Linear regression models and restricted cubic spline functions were used to assess association of uric acid with cognitive performance in 1144 study participants. RESULTS: High levels of uric acid were associated with worse cognitive performance among women (-0.57; 95% CI: -1.10 to -0.04) but not among men (-0.12; 95% CI: -0.64 to 0.39). The association was much stronger among the subgroup of women with cardiovascular diseases (-1.91; 95% CI: -3.15 to -0.67) and also revealed a dose-response relationship in this subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Serum uric acid showed an inverse association with cognitive function among women and the association was amplified by the presence of cardiovascular disease. These results highlight the importance of stratifying by sex and cardiovascular disease in future studies on uric acid and cognition.
BACKGROUND: Several studies reported an association between concentrations of serum uric acid and cognitive function, but the evidence is contradictory. It is known that uric acid is associated with cardiovascular diseases, especially among women. Stratifying by sex and history of cardiovascular disease may clarify whether uric acid is an independent risk factor for cognitive dysfunction. METHODS: A population-based study was conducted in the German State of Saarland. A subgroup of participants aged ≥70years underwent a comprehensive assessment of cognitive function. Linear regression models and restricted cubic spline functions were used to assess association of uric acid with cognitive performance in 1144 study participants. RESULTS: High levels of uric acid were associated with worse cognitive performance among women (-0.57; 95% CI: -1.10 to -0.04) but not among men (-0.12; 95% CI: -0.64 to 0.39). The association was much stronger among the subgroup of women with cardiovascular diseases (-1.91; 95% CI: -3.15 to -0.67) and also revealed a dose-response relationship in this subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Serum uric acid showed an inverse association with cognitive function among women and the association was amplified by the presence of cardiovascular disease. These results highlight the importance of stratifying by sex and cardiovascular disease in future studies on uric acid and cognition.
Authors: Crystal F Haskell-Ramsay; Philippa A Jackson; Joanne S Forster; Fiona L Dodd; Samantha L Bowerbank; David O Kennedy Journal: Nutrients Date: 2018-09-30 Impact factor: 5.717