Hyperuricemia and gout closely associated with development of diabetes

A new study published in Current Diabetes Reports suggests that when compared to people who are healthy, people with hyperuricemia and gout are more likely to develop diabetes.

Chronic hyperglycemia is the primary symptom of diabetes mellitus (DM), a disorder of metabolism that affects a variety of metabolic processes. The byproduct of purine catabolism is uric acid (UA). A rise in serum UA, also known as hyperuricemia, can result from either an

increase in UA production or a reduction in UA excretion, or from a combination of both. When Uric acid levels in the blood rise, gout typically results. The body produces this acid as waste when it breaks down purines, which are nutrients found in some foods and body tissue. To determine the prevalence of diabetes in individuals with hyperuricemia and gout, Jinguo Jiang and colleagues conducted a comprehensive review and meta-analysis.

The recent findings highlighted in this study were as follows:

1. The higher risk of diabetes is linked to hyperuricemia and gout, according to earlier research.

2. According to a recent meta-analysis, 16% of gout patients also had diabetes. In the meta-

analysis, 38 studies (458,256 patients) were taken into account.

3. Patients with hyperuricemia and gout had combined diabetes prevalence rates of 19.10% and 16.70%, respectively.

4. Compared to patients from other continents, North American patients had a great prevalence of diabetes.

5. Diabetes was more prevalent in older individuals with hyperuricemia and those taking

diuretics than in younger patients and those not taking diuretics.

6. The prevalence of diabetes was greater in studies with a short sample size, a case-control

design, and a poor quality score than in studies with a big sample size, alternative designs, and a high quality score.

7. Among patients with hyperuricemia and gout, diabetes is very common.

8. For the prevention of diabetes, individuals with hyperuricemia and gout must have their plasma glucose and uric acid levels under control.

In conclusion, as a result of this study, it is essential to keep plasma glucose and uric acid levels under control in these individuals in order to prevent the development of diabetes.

Reference: 

Jiang, J., Zhang, T., Liu, Y., Chang, Q., Zhao, Y., Guo, C., & Xia, Y. (2023). Prevalence of Diabetes in Patients with Hyperuricemia and Gout: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. In Current Diabetes Reports. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-023-01506-2