Causal relationship between serum uric acid and abnormal blood pressure based on the panel model study: A 5-year cohort study

Abstract

Background and aims: To investigate the relationship between elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels and blood pressure (BP).

Methods and results: Based on the Beijing Health Management Cohort, 5276 health examination people were enrolled. Cross-lagged model was used to explore the relationship between SUA levels and blood pressure. The results showed: (1) increased SUA and increased systolic blood pressure (SBP): ① The path coefficients from baseline SUA to follow-up SBP were statistically significant in both the general population (β = 0.034, P < 0.05) and men (β = 0.048, P < 0.05). The path coefficients from baseline SBP to follow-up SUA were not statistically significant in either the general population (β = 0.010, P > 0.05) or men (β = 0.011, P > 0.05). ② The path coefficients from baseline SUA to follow-up SBP and from baseline SBP to follow-up SUA were not statistically significant in women with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² and BMI < 25 kg/m². (2) Increased SUA and diastolic blood pressure (DBP): ① There was no statistical significance between the path coefficients from baseline DBP to follow-up SUA and the path coefficients from baseline SUA to follow-up DBP. ② In men and women, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² and BMI < 25 kg/m², the path coefficients from baseline DBP to follow-up SUA and from baseline SUA to follow-up DBP were not statistically significant.

Conclusions: SUA can increase blood pressure in the general male population; no reverse time sequence relationship was found. The temporal relationships between SUA levels and SBP abnormalities were different in the sex and BMI subgroups. No bidirectional causal temporal relationship was found between SUA elevation and DBP abnormality.

Keywords: Blood pressure; Causal correlation; Cross-lagged panel model; Hyperuricemia; Serum uric acid.