Serum Uric Acid as a Potential Concomitant with Carotid Atherosclerosis

Background: Common carotid intima-media thickness (CC-IMT) measured by ultrasonography as a non-invasive method is nowadays known as a marker for early atherosclerosis. Objectives: Survey the relationship between serum uric acid and carotid intima-media thickness considering hypertension. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a comparative cross-sectional study in northern Iran in 2013&ndash;2014. The samples for uric acid level were taken from 90 patients. Data were collected through questionnaires and a non-invasive ultrasound technique was used to measure IMT. The analysis of data was done by one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests and logistic regression model using SPSS software version 21. The significance level was set as 0.05. Results: Patients in the 3 groups were the same age and gender. The measured carotid intima-media thickness was significantly different among the groups (p=0.004). Using multivariate logistic regression and entering all variables, The intima-media thickness of the carotid in the group with hypertensive and hyperuricemia was significantly higher than that of the other research groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: An association was found between serum uric acid level and increased thickness of carotid intima-media and hyperuricemia can be considered as a risk factor for atherosclerosis.