Gender-Specific Differences in Prevalence and Association of Cardio-Metabolic Parameters and Hyperuricemia: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand

Background: Although the prevalence of HUA is increasing, epidemiologic studies on HUA in the middleaged and elderly population are limited. The present study aimed to calculate the prevalence and evaluate the sex-related associations between metabolic parameters and hyperuricemia (HUA) among middle-aged and elderly adults. Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study from 2018 to 2019 in rural areas of Nakhon Nayok Province, Thailand. We enrolled 780 subjects aged 40 yr and over for health check-ups and examination surveys. The age-standardized prevalence of HUA was estimated by the direct method. A multiple logistic regression was performed to identify the potential risk factors associated with HUA. Results: The prevalence of HUA were 30.9% (42% in males vs. 20% in females). Elderly adults were associated with a 35% increase in the risk of HUA. Obesity was found to be strongly associated with an increased prevalence of HUA in both sexes. Hypertriglyceridemia (51% increase in males vs. 23% increase in females), and high fasting glucose (90% increase in males vs. 49% increase in females) were also associated risk factors for HUA in both sexes. However, low high-density lipoprotein was only associated with a 67% increase in the risk of HUA in females. Conclusion: The age-standardized prevalence of HUA among females is relatively lower than in males. This study also revealed that obesity is strongly associated with HUA in both sexes.