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Meta-Analysis
. 2020 Nov 30;5(1):52.
doi: 10.1186/s41256-020-00178-9.

Geographical distribution of hyperuricemia in mainland China: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis

Jiayun Huang  1 , Zheng Feei Ma  2   3 , Yutong Zhang  4 , Zhongxiao Wan  5 , Yeshan Li  6 , Hang Zhou  7   8 , Anna Chu  9 , Yeong Yeh Lee  10   11   12
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Geographical distribution of hyperuricemia in mainland China: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis

Jiayun Huang et al. Glob Health Res Policy. .

Abstract

Background: Fructose plays an important role in the complex metabolism of uric acid in the human body. However, high blood uric acid concentration, known as hyperuricemia, is the main risk factor for development of gout. Therefore, we conducted an updated meta-analysis on the prevalence and geographical distribution of hyperuricemia among the general population in mainland China using systematic literature search.

Methods: Five electronic databases were used to search for relevant articles published until 2019. All calculations were conducted using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software. We included 108 eligible articles (172 studies by sex, 95 studies by regions, and 107 studies by study type) and an overall sample size of > 808,505 participants.

Results: The pooled prevalence of hyperuricemia among the general population in mainland China was 17.4% (95% CI: 15.8-19.1%). Our subgroup analysis indicated that the pooled prevalence by regions ranged from 15.5 to 24.6%. Those living Northeast region and being males had the highest prevalence (P < 0.001). In addition, some provinces in South Central, East and Northeast regions reported a high prevalence (> 20%), particularly in males. An increasing prevalence was reported since 2005-2009 until 2015-2019. No publication of bias was observed as indicated by a symmetrical funnel plot and Begg and Mazumdar rank correlation (P = 0.392).

Conclusion: Prevalence of hyperuricemia is increasing in China, and future studies should investigate the association between the prevalence of hyperuricemia and its risk factors in order to tackle the issue, particularly among the vulnerable groups. Also, our study was the first comprehensive study to investigate the overall prevalence of hyperuricemia in mainland China covering the six different regions.

Keywords: China; Gout; Hyperuricemia; Urbanisation; Uric acid.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flow diagram of the literature screening process
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot of the pooled prevalence and 95% CI of hyperuricemia among the general population in mainland China
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Prevalence of hyperuricemia in mainland China according to different provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Funnel plot for the meta-analysis of the prevalence of hyperuricemia in mainland China
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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