Relationship between Serum uric acid level and hypertension: A retrospective cohort study

Background: Many epidemiological studies suggest the pathogenic role of serum uric acid level in development of hypertension. Several cross-sectional studies have shown the relationship between uric acid and development of hypertension in Korea. We investigated whether uric acid associates with the development of hypertension in a retrospective cohort study. Methods: We included 2,353 people who did not have hypertension initially and underwent general medical examination between 1997 and 1998 and were re-examined after 10 years later. Study people divided into three groups according to serum uric acid level tertiles. Results: The incidences of hypertension in tertile groups were 14.1% (108/764), 22.0% (175/769), and 24.3% (193/793) and they showed statistically significant difference. We performed multivariable logistic regression with serum uric acid and other risk factors of hypertension. The incidence of hypertension in second and third tertile group were significantly higher than first tertile group (odds ratio [OR], 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 2.10; P = 0.009 in second tertile group and OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.17 to 2.37; P = 0.005 in third tertile group). Conclusion: Serum uric acid level is associated with the development of hypertension.