Association between hyperuricemia and hypertension in a Chinese population at a high risk of hypertension

In this cross-sectional study, we examined whether hyperuricemia is associated with hypertension and the association exists in a Chinese population at a high risk of hypertension. The study population included 813 consecutively clinical patients with suspected cardiovascular disease, including the subjects with the current use of antihypertensive medications and self-reported diagnosis of hypertension. The subjects underwent three measures of blood pressure and were divided into two groups: 502 non-hypertensive subjects and 311 hypertensive subjects. Clinical and biochemical variables were measured. Results showed that uric acid level, fasting glucose, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, total cholesterol and urea nitrogen were significantly higher (all p<0.05) in hypertension subjects than in non-hypertension subjects. The risk of hypertension was significantly higher in the group with higher uric acid (>400 mu mol/l), compared with that with lower uric acid (<200 mu mol/l) (odds ratio: 2.09, 95% CI 1.13-3.88). The odds ratio was 1.73, 95% CI 1.05-2.85 in the higher uric acid (200-400 mu mol/l) group, compared with that with lower uric acid. In addition, age, gender, weight, fasting glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol were also significantly associated with the incidence of hypertension. In age-adjusted logistic regression analysis, the effect of uric acid concentration on hypertension was attenuated. In conclusion, hyperuricemia is associated with hypertension in a Chinese population at a high risk of hypertension.