Differences in the association between glycemia and uric acid levels in diabetic and non-diabetic populations

Abstract

Aims: Our study aimed to investigate the influence of different glycemic statuses and their fasting plasma glucose/2-hour post-load glucose on uric acid level.

Methods: A total of 14,787 subjects were recruited after excluding subjects with medication for hyperuricemia or diabetes. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour post-load glucose (2hPG), and uric acid (UA) were measured. Then, subjects were divided into normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and diabetes.

Results: After adjustment for clinical variables, in NGT group, there was no significant relationship found between UA level and FPG. However, there was a positive association between UA level and 2hPG (β = 0.003, 95% CI: 0.002~0.004). A similar trend was also observed between UA level and 2hPG in IFG group (β = 0.004, 95% CI: 0.000~0.009) and IGT group (β = 0.005, 95% CI: 0.002~0.008), but relationship between UA level and FPG remained insignificant. In diabetes group, UA level was negatively associated with both FPG (β = -0.008, 95% CI: -0.010 ~ -0.007) and 2hPG (β = -0.005, 95% CI: -0.006 ~-0.003).

Conclusions: In non-diabetic individuals, UA level increased with 2hPG, but not with FPG, and UA level was inversely associated with both FPG and 2hPG in diabetic population.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Glucose; Glucose tolerance; Oxidative stress; Uric acid.