Correlation between serum uric acid levels and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity: a secondary analysis based on Dryad database

AIM To investigate the correlation between serum uric acid levels and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).

METHODS A secondary analysis was performed utilizing Dryad database and the linear relationship between serum uric acid and baPWV in populations under health check-up was explored by multivariable linear regression. Restricted cubic spline was used for curve fitting and subgroup analysis was performed using the items including gender, smoking, fatty liver disease and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS Compared with the Q1 group, the Q2 and Q3 groups had a higher proportion of males, smoking, and fatty liver (all P<0.05). BMI, SBP, DBP, weekly alcohol consumption, AST, ALT γ- The levels of GGT, FPG, TG increased (all P<0.01) and LDL-C increased (Q2 group P<0.05,Q3 group P<0.01), while the levels of HDL-C (P<0.01) and eGFR (Q2 group P<0.05; Q3 group P<0.01) decreased. ABI decreased in Q2 group and increased in Q3 group (all P<0.01), and baPWV (Q2 group P<0.05; Q3 group P<0.01) increased. Compared with the Q2 group, the Q3 group had a higher proportion of males, smokers, and fatty liver (all P<0.05); BMI, SBP, DBP, weekly alcohol consumption, AST, ALT γ- The levels of GGT, FPG, TG, HDL-C, and eGFR increased (all P<0.01); The level of ABI (P<0.05) increased. After adjusting for various confounding factors, there is still a significant linear correlation between blood uric acid and baPWV. For every 1 mg/dL increase in blood uric acid level, baPWV increases by 12.70 cm/s (β=12.70, 95% CI: 0.83~24.58, P<0.05). Compared with the lowest quartile array of blood uric acid, the highest group showed a significant increase in baPWV (β= 39.76, 95% CI: 1.17~78.35, P=0.043). Subgroup analysis showed that the correlation between blood uric acid and baPWV was more significant (all P<0.05) in the female, non-smokers, non fatty liver, and BMI<24 kg/m² subgroups.

CONCLUSION The increase in serum uric acid levels is associated with an increased baPWV in healthy people and more attention should be given for early screening and intervention of arteriosclerosis.