Abstract
Hyperuricemia has long been known to be associated with cardiovascular and kidney disease, but it is unclear whether uric acid has a causal role in these comorbid disease processes or whether it is a secondary phenomenon. This review summarizes relevant studies concerning uric acid and possible links to hypertension, cardiovascular and renal diseases.
Recent animal studies and epidemiologic studies have identified serum uric acid elevations as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, hypertension and metabolic syndrome. Hyperuricemia has also been found to be an independent risk factor for the development of new-onset as well as progression of chronic kidney disease.
According to the current views, there is no need to treat all patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Further clinical trials, aimed at determining whether lowering of uric acid levels would be of clinical benefit in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and renal diseases, are needed.