J K Ahn1, J Hwang2, J H Hwang3, W T Yoon4, P W Chung4, S Ryu5. 1. Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: mdahnjk@skku.edu. 2. Department of Internal Medicine, National Police Hospital, Seoul, South Korea. 3. Center for Health Promotion, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea. 4. Department of Neurology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. 5. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Center for Cohort Studies, Total Healthcare Center, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Clinical Research Design & Evaluation, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: sh703.yoo@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) is one of the most common causes of stroke, especially in Asians. Hyperuricemia has been associated with an increased risk of comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome or cardiovascular diseases. However, there are few studies focusing on the association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and asymptomatic ICAS. The aim of this study was to explore the association between SUA and the prevalence of ICAS in middle-aged Korean health screening examinees. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 9417 males and 7755 females who underwent a comprehensive health examination including transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography. The association of SUA and ICAS was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. The prevalence of ICAS among the total examinee population was 3.55%. In females, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio for ICAS was 1.52 (confidence interval 1.13-2.04) in the 3rd quartile of SUA and 1.45 (1.05-2.00) in the highest quartile, compared to the reference (P for trend 0.008). This trend was evident in all clinically relevant subgroups evaluated, including women with low inflammation status. SUA was not significantly associated with the prevalence of ICAS among males. In a sensitivity analysis, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio of middle cerebral artery stenosis in females was 1.60 (1.09-2.37) in the highest quartile compared to the reference (P for trend 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Higher SUA level was associated with increased risk of ICAS among middle-aged females but not males. A further cohort study is warranted to elucidate the effect of SUA on asymptomatic ICAS.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) is one of the most common causes of stroke, especially in Asians. Hyperuricemia has been associated with an increased risk of comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome or cardiovascular diseases. However, there are few studies focusing on the association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and asymptomatic ICAS. The aim of this study was to explore the association between SUA and the prevalence of ICAS in middle-aged Korean health screening examinees. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 9417 males and 7755 females who underwent a comprehensive health examination including transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography. The association of SUA and ICAS was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. The prevalence of ICAS among the total examinee population was 3.55%. In females, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio for ICAS was 1.52 (confidence interval 1.13-2.04) in the 3rd quartile of SUA and 1.45 (1.05-2.00) in the highest quartile, compared to the reference (P for trend 0.008). This trend was evident in all clinically relevant subgroups evaluated, including women with low inflammation status. SUA was not significantly associated with the prevalence of ICAS among males. In a sensitivity analysis, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio of middle cerebral artery stenosis in females was 1.60 (1.09-2.37) in the highest quartile compared to the reference (P for trend 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Higher SUA level was associated with increased risk of ICAS among middle-aged females but not males. A further cohort study is warranted to elucidate the effect of SUA on asymptomatic ICAS.