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. 2025 Mar 17:16:1555587.
doi: 10.3389/fneur.2025.1555587. eCollection 2025.

Hyperuricemia reduces the risk of MCI but not dementia: a cross-sectional study in Liuyang

Yong He #  1   2 , Tieshi Zhu #  3 , Erxinxian Bei #  4 , Guangpeng Xiang  5 , Danyang Xi  6 , Heng Meng  1 , Yuzhang Bei  2
Affiliations

Hyperuricemia reduces the risk of MCI but not dementia: a cross-sectional study in Liuyang

Yong He et al. Front Neurol. .

Abstract

Background: Cognitive impairments, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, significantly affect patients' daily functions and quality of life, contributing to a substantial societal and economic burden. The role of uric acid in cognitive function is controversial, with some studies suggesting protective effects, while others indicate increased risk of cognitive decline.

Methods: A total of 1,098 participants with an average age of 69 years were included in the study. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination. Hyperuricemia was defined as blood uric acid concentrations >420 μmol/L. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analysis were performed to assess the association between hyperuricemia and cognitive impairment, including MCI and dementia.

Results: Hyperuricemia was associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.31-0.80) and MCI (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.21-0.69), particularly in individuals younger than 70 years, males, and those without hypertension or diabetes. No significant association was found between hyperuricemia and dementia (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.44-1.89). There is no evidence of a non-linear relationship between hyperuricemia and cognitive impairment.

Conclusion: Hyperuricemia appears to have a protective effect on cognitive function, particularly in reducing the risk of MCI, but not dementia, in specific populations.

Keywords: cognitive impairment; cross-sectional study; dementia; hyperuricemia; mild cognitive impairment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Association between hyperuricemia and cognitive impairment. (A) Logistic regression analysis of hyperuricemia and cognitive dysfunction. (B) Subgroup analysis of hyperuricemia and cognitive impairment. (C) RCS analysis of uric acid and cognitive impairment.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Association between hyperuricemia and MCI (A–C) and Dementia (D–F). (A) Logistic regression analysis of hyperuricemia and MCI. (B) Subgroup analysis of hyperuricemia and MCI. (C) RCS analysis of uric acid and MCI. (D) Logistic regression analysis of hyperuricemia and dementia. (E) Subgroup analysis of hyperuricemia and dementia. (F) RCS analysis of uric acid and dementia.
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