High Uric Acid Taxable Diabetes Risk

People with gout should ensure uric acid levels were in normal range. While not experiencing the painful symptoms of rheumatic disorders despite high levels of uric acid could be at risk of developing diabetes.

"Many people who have uric acid levels are not controlled and has been used to not worry about it. Especially if it does not cause symptoms," says Eric Matteson, MD, MPH, chief of Rheumatology at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., as reported by WebMD, Monday ( 11/14/2011).

But the new study results show that high levels of uric acid in the blood associated with increased risk of diabetes almost 20 percent and increased risk of conditions that lead to the progression of kidney disease more than 40 percent.

Uric acid is a chemical that can form in the blood and can increase to levels higher than normal and cause gout. Whereas
Gout is a medical condition that is usually characterized by recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis symptoms, including redness, pain, hot joints, and swollen.

Metatarsal phalangeal joint at the base of the big toe is the most commonly affected by gout, which is at about 50 percent of cases. However, it can also appear in the form of tophi, kidney stones, or urate nephropathy. This is caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood that has been crystallized and stored in the joints, tendons and surrounding tissues.

The researchers reviewed the records of about 2,000 people with gout in a Veterans Administration database. At the beginning of the study all of the study participants without diabetes or kidney disease.

Eswar Krishnan, MD, assistant professor of Rheumatology at Stanford University, has presented his research results at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

Over a period of three years, 9 percent of men with gout have uric acid levels are not controlled in a state that leads to the development of diabetes. Compared with 6 percent of those with uric acid levels are controlled.

After taking into account other risk factors for diabetes, was found associated with diabetes risk 19 percent higher in those with uric acid levels are not controlled. Uric acid levels in the blood that are higher than the number 7 is considered uncontrolled.

The second study conducted by the same researchers using the same database. The results of these studies indicate that, over 3 years with periods of gout in men who had higher levels of uric acid that is not controlled had 40 percent higher risk for kidney disease compared with men with uric acid levels under control.

The study does not prove that, uric acid levels are not controlled cause health problems but showed elevated levels of relationships with health problems.

"Gout is a disease that is not handled. Now we find that high uric acid levels, is associated with higher risk for heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and even death from cardiovascular disease," said Matteson.

"Because of this, it will be advisable to perform a variety of efforts to control uric acid levels, among others, through diet or drugs. It is most important, maintaining a healthy weight. Because obesity is a major risk factor for all these conditions, "said Matteson.

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