Hyperuricemia is associated with hypertension, obesity, and albuminuria in children with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence and associations of hyperuricemia in a cohort of pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Study design: This was an observational cross-sectional study of clinical and laboratory data in pediatric patients being followed in a nephrology clinic. All patients with CKD were included. ORs and risk estimates of having stage III-V CKD (defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) with hyperuricemia were calculated. The relationships among eGFR, body mass index (BMI), and hyperuricemia were estimated using both correlation and regression models.

Results: A total of 116 children (61% male), aged 0.4-17 years, were included in the analysis. The prevalence of hyperuricemia in those with an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) was 70%. Children with hyperuricemia were more likely to have an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) than those with a normal urate level (OR, 4.6) and were more likely to be hypertensive (OR, 2.1). Hyperuricemia was significantly associated with increased BMI, albuminuria, renal dysfunction with reduced eGFR, and hypertension. Significant linear relationships between eGFR and urate (P = .0001) and between BMI and urate (P = .0001) were detected.

Conclusions: Hyperuricemia is common in pediatric patients with CKD and is associated with renal dysfunction, hypertension, obesity, and albuminuria. Future prospective studies should be undertaken to further assess the role of hyperuricemia in pediatric patients with CKD.