Abstract
The relationship between serum uric acid (UA) and cardiovascular risk profile was investigated in 557 outpatients (415 women) aged 60 years and older. Patients were grouped according to a UA cutoff level of 5.5 mg/dL. Prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and impaired glucose metabolism was increased in women with higher UA, who had higher body mass index (37.7±6.9 vs 33.1±5.9 kg/m(2) , P<.001), waist circumference, and serum glucose and triglyceride concentrations than women with lower UA levels. Conversely, men with higher UA levels showed lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher left ventricular mass than men with lower UA levels. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was reduced in patients with high UA levels of both sexes (65±17 vs 72±16 mL/min/1.73 m(2) , P<.001, for women; 70±16 vs 76±15 mL/min/1.73 m(2) , P<.03, for men). Grouping patients by sex-specific median UA concentrations produced similar results. These data indicate that, even in the elderly, UA clusters in a sex-specific fashion with features of metabolic syndrome and signs of target organ damage.