Prevalence of hyperuricaemia in an Eastern Chinese population: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesIn the past decade, China has been characterised by large-scale urbanisation as well as rapid economic growth. The aim of this study was to further investigate the prevalence of hyperuricaemia (HUA) in an Eastern Chinese population.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingSurvey of Prevalence in East China of Metabolic Diseases and Risk Factors China study.ParticipantsIn this study, 12770 residents from 22 sites in Eastern China were recruited. Finally, 9225 subjects were included.Main outcome measuresThe serum levels of uric acid (UA), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated haemoglobin and other metabolic parameters were tested. Waist circumference, weight, height and blood pressure were also measured. Questionnaires regarding smoking, drinking, education were collected from the subjects. HUA was defined as serum UA >420 mu mol/L for men and >360 mu mol/L for women.ResultsThe prevalence of HUA in this Eastern Chinese population was 11.3% (9.9, 12.7) overall, 20.7% (17.7, 23.7) in men and 5.6% (4.3, 6.7) in women. The prevalence of HUA in urban subjects was higher than that in rural subjects (12.9 vs 10.8%, p<0.01). The prevalence of HUA was negatively and positively associated with age in men and women, respectively. Residents with high body mass index levels had a higher prevalence of HUA. In the logistic regression analysis, male sex, urban residency, total cholesterol, triglyceride, overweight, obesity, systolic blood pressure and low economic status were independently correlated with HUA.ConclusionsThe estimated prevalence of HUA in this Eastern Chinese population was 11.3% (9.9, 12.7) overall and 20.7% (17.7, 23.7) and 5.6% (4.3, 6.7) in men and women, respectively. HUA has gradually become an important public health issue in China.Trial registration numberChiCTR-ECS-14005052.