Hyperuricemia independent risk factor for achilles tendon rupture in males: study

Achilles tendon ruptures (ATR) are a common injury associated with exercise. It can severely impair mobility and affect normal activity and movement. Preventing the occurrence of ATR becomes an important option to reduce the health risks in this population. Several risk factors for ATR have been identified - age, sex, body mass index (BMI), race, smoking status, use of fluoroquinolones, topical and oral corticosteroids, previous achilles tendinopathy, blood type, and intensity of participation in competitive sports.

Chen et al conducted a study to find the correlation between achilles tendon rupture (ATR) and hyperuricemia. The study was conducted at Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, Orthopedic Center, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.

A retrospective review of 488 subjects was performed (182 with Achilles tendon rupture, 306 controls with ankle sprains). Demographic variables and risk factors for rupture were tabulated and compared. The baseline data and related indicators were compared, and the risk factors of ATR were analyzed by constructing a binary logistic regression model.

Key findings of the study were:

• Univariate logistic analysis showed that BMI, smoking, and hyperuricemia were risk factors for the development of ATR (OR=1.65, 95%CI 1.13–2.42, P=0.01; OR=1.47, 95%CI 1.00–2.24, P<0.05; OR=2.85, 95%CI 1.84–4.42, P<0.01).

• Multifactorial analysis showed that BMI≥25 kg/m2, smoking, and hyperuricemia were independent risk factors for the development of ATR (OR=1.66, 95%CI 1.11–2.49, P=0.01; OR=2.15, 95%CI 1.28–3.60, P<0.01; OR=3.06, 95%CI 1.92–4.89, P<0.01).

• Among the blood biochemical indicators, total cholesterol (TC) and uric acid (UA) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of ATR (OR=1.54, 95% CI 1.12–2.12, P=0.01; OR=1.01, 95% CI 1.01–1.01, P<0.01).

The authors concluded – “Our study confirmed that, as in previous results, higher BMI, smoking, and total cholesterol are risk factors for ATR, hyperuricemia may contribute to the development of ATR, and adjunctive tests for TC and UA in the blood biochemistry may be helpful in predicting the risk of ATR.”

Further reading:

Hyperuricemia as an independent risk factor for achilles tendon rupture in male: a case– control study Chen et al. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research (2024) 19:215 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-04698-9