Hyperuricemia and hypertension: an emerging association, a case-control study

Aim: To show association between Hyperuricemia and Hypertension. Introduction: Hyperuricemia has recently emerged as an independent risk factor in the development of hypertension. The various mechanisms has shown association between hypertension and hyperuricemia. That includes uric acid induced activation of renin-angiotensin system and action on glomerular apparatus, increased insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, causing decreased excretion of uric acid and uric acid induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle, endothelial dysfunction with decreased nitric acid production. Various clinical trials shown potential role of uric acid lowering agents in management of hypertension. However, there are numerous confounding factors that is associated with hypertension and hyperuricemia like diabetes mellitus, smoking and alcohol intake. Materials and Method: Case control study done in Noida International Institute of Medical Science, Greater Noida on 120 patients in the department of medicine on both outpatient and inpatient patients, from January 2023 to December 2023. Studies include 60 cases with history of hypertension and 60 normotensive controls. Uric acid value determined in all patients and association established between hypertension and hyperuricemia. Results: Among 60 cases of essential hypertension, majority of the patients 33 (55%) were in Stage II hypertension and 12(20%) cases were in Stage I hypertension. Also, there were 18 (30%) essential hypertension cases with duration of more than 5 years and 30 (50%) cases with less than 5 years duration of the disease. Serum uric acid mean among cases was found to be 6.4 and in the control group was 5.2 . This difference in serum uric acid between the cases and the controls were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: It can be concluded that hyperuricemia is significantly associated with hypertension and hyperuricemia-hypertension risk relationship is present in patients irrespective of metabolic syndrome.