Association between previous schistosome infection and incident hyperuricemia: A prospective cohort study in China

Background More than 11 million people were estimated to be infected by Schistosoma japonicum in China before the 1950s. However, seldom studies have been conducted to evaluate the longitudinal effects of previous schistosome infection (PSI). We aimed to investigate the association between PSI and hyperuricemia in China. Methods From February 2013 to October 2013, 3,517 Chinese subjects (908 persons with PSI and 2,609 persons without PSI) were recruited from a prospective cohort study of "135". After two years, 113 and 462 participants had developed hyperuricemia in the persons with and without PSI, respectively. Multivariable logistic models were used to estimate Relative Ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for hyperuricemia. Results The PSI participants had a decreased risk of hyperuricemia compared with those without PSI [adjusted RR (95% CI): 0.73 (0.55, 0.97)]. Within the PSI group, higher level of fasting plasma glucose was significantly associated with the reduced incidence of hyperuricemia in PSI population (RR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.26-0.63). For females, hypertension, increased levels of serum creatinine and triglycerides were the risk factors for incident hyperuricemia in the PSI group. Conclusions Our results suggest that PSI is significantly associated with the lower incidence of hyperuricemia. Moreover, elevated fasting plasma glucose might prevent the onset of hyperuricemia in PSI population.