The prevalence of hyperuricemia in a population of the coastal city of Qingdao, China.

OBJECTIVE: Hyperuricemia and gout have shown an increase worldwide. Data are lacking for the prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout and their correlates in China. We studied the occurrence of these conditions in Chinese adults in the city of Qingdao.

METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional survey for hyperuricemia and gout was performed among 2438 adults (1535 women, 903 men; aged 20-74 yrs) in 2002. Fasting serum uric acid (UA) and lipid profiles were determined, as well as height, weight, and blood pressure. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum UA levels >or= 420 micromol/l in men and >or= 360 micromol/l in women. Diagnosis of gout was self-reported. Complete biochemical and questionnaire data were available for analysis from 1303 women and 720 men.

RESULTS: The age-standardized prevalence was 25.3% for hyperuricemia and 0.36% for gout in adults aged 20 to 74 years. Hyperuricemia was more prevalent in men than in women (32.1% vs 21.8%; p < 0.001). Age-adjusted mean serum UA level was 389.3 micromol/l in men and 315.7 micromol/l in women. Serum UA increased with age in women only (p for trend < 0.001). Body mass index and serum triglycerides had the strongest associations with serum UA in both genders, followed by alcohol drinking and diastolic blood pressure in men, and systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol in women.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hyperuricemia in the urban adult population in Qingdao city is high, while the frequency of gout is lower. Obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia are the major factors associated with hyperuricemia in this study.