Body mass index (BMI) and waist/thigh circumference (WTC) were estimated in 104 patients with mild and moderate arterial hypertension (AH) lasting for 8.4 +/- 3.2 years (63 men, 41 women, mean age 50.2(+)-9.6 years). Blood concentration of uric acid was tested with enzymes (Boehringer Mannheim kits). Only 5 of 104 examinees had BMI under 25. The majority of the patients (79%) had high WTC. Hyperuricemia was detected in 32 of 104 patients. Uric acid level in the blood correlates (r = 0.43) with WTC but not with BMI.