PC Emem-Chioma¹, RI Oko-Jaja^1,, DD Alasia¹

Background: Serum uric acid levels vary with several factors and certain disease conditions. Studies have demonstrated association of elevated serum uric acid with several disease conditions. Though there exist reports on serum uric acid from Africa and Nigeria involving T2DM patients, oral cancer patients, normal pregnant women, lead-exposed workers and rural and urban populations. Reports on serum uric acid and its correlates in young adult Nigerians are rare. Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of serum uric acid and its correlates with cardiovascular, anthropometric and electrolyte parameters in young adult Nigerians. Methodology: A cross sectional study involving young adults aged 17-35 years was done at a tertiary institution in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Blood pressure, body mass index, serum uric acid and serum sodium in addition to other lifestyle variables were assessed. Parameters were assessed for correlations and prevalence of hyperuriceamia in the study population. Results: A total of 300 young adult undergraduate students with a mean age of 22.53±2.67 years participated in the study with males comprising 73.33% of the study population. The prevalence of hyperuricaemia [serum uric acid >420µmol/L in males and >360µmol/L in females] was 2.33%, while high normal serum uric acid [serum uric acid ≥310µmol/L in females and ≤330µmol/Lin males] was seen 3.0% of the subjects. Hyperuricaemia was significantly more prevalent in females compared to males (1.67% vs 0.67%, P= 0.018). In the male participants BMI had a significant correlation with SUA (r = 0.136, P = 0.043). Whereas, amongst the female participants in this study only age, height and serum sodium showed inverse relationships that were not significant (r = - 0.214, P = 0.056; r = - 0.210, P = 0.062 and r = - 0.205, P = 0.068), respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of hyperuricaemia in this group of young Nigerian adults is relatively low with a significantly higher prevalence in females. Only BMI had significant direct correlation with serum uric acid in the male participants. Interventions to control obesity in this population maybe very important in curbing the burden of hyperuricaemia.

serum uric acid, young adults, Nigerians, correlates