Association of hyperuricemia and gamma glutamyl transferase as a marker of metabolic risk in alcohol use disorder
Anna Hernández‐Rubio, Arantza Sanvisens, Ferrán Bolao, Clara Pérez‐Mañá, Nuria García‐Marchena, Carla Fernández‐Prendes, Álvaro Muñoz, Roberto Muga
Abstract
Abstract Excessive alcohol consumption leads to overproduction of urates and renal function plays a critical role in serum uric acid levels. We aimed to assess associations of hyperuricemia in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and comparable Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR). A total of 686 patients undergoing treatment for AUD between 2013 and 2017 were eligible (77% men); age at admission was 47 years [interquartile range (IQR), 40–53 years], age of onset of alcohol consumption was 16 years [IQR, 16–18 years] and the amount of alcohol consumed was 160 g/day [IQR, 120–240 g/day]. Body Mass Index was 24.7 kg/m 2 [IQR, 21.9–28.4 kg/m 2 ], eGFR was 105 mL/min/1.73 m 2 [IQR, 95.7–113.0 mL], 9.7% had metabolic syndrome and 23% had advanced liver fibrosis (FIB-4 > 3.25). Prevalence of hyperuricemia was 12.5%. The eGFR-adjusted multivariate analysis showed that relative to patients with GGT ≤ 50, those with GGT between 51 and 300 U/L and those with GGT > 300 U/L were 4.31 (95% CI 1.62–11.46) and 10.3 (95% CI 3.50–29.90) times more likely to have hyperuricemia, respectively. Our data shows that hyperuricemia in the context of AUD is strongly associated with serum GGT levels and suggest an increased cardio-metabolic risk in this population.