High serum uric acid level decreases risk of fractures

Objectives:
Serum uric acid (SUA) accounts for about 50% of extracellular antioxidant activity, suggesting that hyperuricemia (an abnormally high level of uric acid in the blood) may have a protective role in diseases characterized by high levels of oxidative stress, such as osteoporosis. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Does a high serum uric acid level (also called hyperuricemia) increase bone mineral density (BMD)?

Study design:
This review article included 19 cross-sectional studies with a total of 55,859 participants.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found in 6 studies that subjects with higher serum uric acid levels had significantly higher bone mineral density values for the spine [SMD = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.22-0.35, I2 = 47%].
Simple correlation analyses substantially confirmed this finding.

The investigators found in 7 studies that subjects with higher serum uric acid levels had significantly higher bone mineral density values for total hip [SMD = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.24-0.34, I2 = 33%].
Simple correlation analyses substantially confirmed this finding.

The investigators found in 6 studies that subjects with higher serum uric acid levels had significantly higher bone mineral density values for femoral neck [SMD = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.16-0.34, I2 = 71%].
Simple correlation analyses substantially confirmed this finding.

The investigators found in 3 studies that an increase of one standard deviation in serum uric acid levels significantly reduced risk of new fractures with 17% [HR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.74-0.92, I2 = 0%].

The investigators found no significant differences between men and women, although data about women were limited.

The investigators concluded a high serum uric acid level is independently associated with higher bone mineral density values and a lower risk of fractures, supporting a protective role for uric acid in bone metabolism disorders.

Original title:
Hyperuricemia protects against low bone mineral density, osteoporosis and fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis by Veronese N, Carraro S, […], Cereda E.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27636234

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