Gout and heart disease

Gout and serum uric acid levels independently predict total and cardiovascular mortality, according to a study of 15,773 people aged 20 years or older followed for approximately 10 years.

Compared to controls, gout was linked to a 42% increase in total deaths and a 58% rise in cardiovascular mortality. Each 59.5 mmol/l (1 mg/dl) rise in uric acid increased total and cardiovascular mortality by 16%.

Researchers divided patients into four groups (quartiles) according to baseline serum uric acid level. The study compared mortality in each group to the lowest quartile of uric acid (<256 mmol/l) in people without gout. In people without gout, total and cardiovascular mortality was significantly higher in the top quartile (>357 mmol/l) - by 37% and 33% respectively. In people with gout, total and cardiovascular mortality were 77% and 109% respectively higher in the top quartile. Indeed, total and cardiovascular mortality were (by 64% and 80% respectively) significantly higher in the third uric acid quartile (309-<357 mmol/l).