Japan: Higher uric acid concentration at baseline is associated significantly with non-attainment of optimal blood pressure (NOBP) on the first use of antihypertensive drug(s), according to a recent study published in the journal PLOS One.
There exists a significant relationship between increased uric acid concentration and both prevalent and incident hypertension. However, there is a scarcity of data regarding the influence of higher uric acid concentration at baseline on blood pressure (BP) control by antihypertensive drugs. To fill this gap, Yuji Sato, National Health Insurance Takachiho Town Hospital, Takachiho, Miyazaki, Japan, and colleagues performed a prospective cohort study.
This study enrolled Japanese community-based cohort (N = 8,664; age 65.5 ± 6.4 years; women, 55.0%) who were not using antihypertensive drugs on the first visit for a health check-up program but started using antihypertensive drug(s) on the next-year visit. The participants were classified into quartiles based basic uric acid concentration. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for non-attainment of optimal blood pressure (NOBP) as the primary outcome measure.
The study outcome was the non-attainment of optimal blood pressure (NOBP). NOBP level was defined according to the Japanese hypertension guideline.
Key findings of the study include:
Multivariable logistic analysis showed that quartile 4 was significantly associated with NOBP when quartile 1 was set as the reference (OR, 1.36), adjusted for potential confounders, such as age, sex, body mass index, presence of diabetes/dyslipidemia/chronic kidney disease (CKD), a history of cardiovascular disease, daily drinking, and current smoking.
In the subgroup analysis of female participants and participants with diabetes and CKD, a significant association was observed between +1 mg/dL of uric acid and NOBP.
"Higher uric acid concentration at baseline was significantly associated with NOBP on the first use of antihypertensive drug(s)," concluded the authors.
The study obviously demonstrated that higher baseline uric acid level could have negative effects on antihypertensive therapy; therefore, hyperuricemia should be raised as one of the important factors in the management of hypertensive subjects.
The study, "Higher baseline uric acid concentration is associated with non-attainment of optimal blood pressure," is published in the journal PLOS One.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236602