Different progressions of hyperglycemia and diabetes among hyperuricemic men and women in the kinmen study

Abstract

Objective: A 7-year followup study among hyperuricemic subjects was conducted to investigate the association between longterm hyperuricemia and subsequent hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus. The possible sex difference was also investigated.

Methods: A total of 641 hyperuricemic subjects aged 30 years and over (391 men, 250 women) screened from the community-based Kinmen Study in 1991-92 (the baseline study) were followed in 1997-98, with 75% followup rate. Demographic, clinical, and biochemical data were collected in both baseline and followup periods.

Results: After followup for 7 years, the distribution of plasma glucose concentrations changed moderately among male hyperuricemic subjects, but increased markedly among female subjects. The increase of uric acid levels during the followup period was correlated with subsequent diabetes only among hyperuricemic women. Moreover, a relatively higher incidence of diabetes was found in postmenopausal hyperuricemic women after 7-year followup.

Conclusion: Although the direct role and causality played by uric acid cannot be confirmed by this study, the findings, as applicable to a Chinese nondiabetic population, show that specific progressions of plasma glucose concentrations were significantly different between male and female hyperuricemic subjects. Hyperuricemia and persistent increase in uric acid levels among postmenopausal women should alert physicians to the possibility of subsequent hyperglycemia and diabetes.