Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Over the past few years the clinical relevance of serum uric acid level has changed. The elevated serum uric acid level not only impairs the joints and the kidney function but it is also linked with an increased risk of cardivascular diseases. The aim of our study was to examine how bones are affected (change of bone mineral density (BMD), bone metabolism parameters, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and frequency of fractures) by elevated serum uric acid level.

Materials and methods: We investigated a total of 136 patients divided into two groups according to serum uric acid level: 68 male patients with (age: 54.9±1.6 years) and 68 male patients without (age: 55.2±1.9 years) hyperuricemia. In all cases hyperuricemia (se level >428 μmol/l) was asymptomatic. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), for bone markers such as: parathyroid hormone (PTH), β-CrossLaps, 25-(OH) vitamin D3 and osteocalcin (OC) electrochemiluminescence immunoassay was used and routine labor parameters were measured. Medical history including prevalence of bone fractures was also recorded. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA, with post-hoc Bonferroni correction (Satistica software 9.0).

Results: In patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia lumbar spine (L2-4) BMD (T-score: −2.53±0.20 vs −1.91±0.20, P<0.05) and left femoral neck BMD (T-sc: −2.45±0.16 vs −1.98±0.15, P<0.05) were lower than in patients without hyperuricemia. Serum 25-(OH) vitamin D3 levels were also lower in the hyperuricemic group (48.4±15.1 nmol/l vs 55.86±16.7 nmol/l, P<0.05). Bone fracture had occurred in 17 of 68 hyperuricemic patients, while in the non-hyperuricemic group only seven fractures were recorded.

Conclusion: The in-time recognition and treatment of elevated serum uric acid level could positively influence the bone metabolism and be part of fracture prevention.