Serum uric acid is positively associated with pulmonary function in Korean health screening examinees

Objectives: To determine whether level of serum uric acid (SUA) is linked to pulmonary function in health screening examinees without overt medical conditions. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study on 69,928 Koreans that participated in an annual health check. Results: Percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%) were positively correlated with SUA in both genders (FVC%: r =.361; FEV1%: r =.314 in males and FVC%: r =.413; FEV1%: r =.382 in females, all p <.001). When the 2nd, 3rd and lowest FEV1% quartile were compared to the highest quartile group (the reference) by regression analysis, the adjusted ORs for hyperuricemia in males were 0.876 (95% CI, 0.809–0.949), 0.631 (0.574–0.695), and 0.311 (0.278–0.349), respectively. The adjusted ORs for hyperuricemia when the 2nd, 3rd and lowest FEV1% quartile were compared to the highest quartile in males were 0.791 (95% CI, 0.729–0.859), 0.565 (0.513–0.623), and 0.302 (0.270–0.337), respectively (p for trend <.001). Similarly, the adjusted OR of having hyperuricemia in females decreased significantly across FEV1% and FVC% quartile groups compared to the reference. Conclusions: Hyperuricemia may have a positive effect on pulmonary function in middle aged healthy population.