In a nutshell
This study evaluated the relationship between high serum uric acid (SUA) levels and atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Some background
Uric acid is a compound normally produced in the body and normally filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. High levels of uric acid in the blood (referred to as elevated SUA, or hyperuricemia) may indicate declined kidney function, a common complication of diabetes. SUA levels have also been shown to predict the prognosis of other conditions linked to diabetes such as heart failure.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia (abnormal heart beat) in which the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly fast. Both diabetes and AF share several risk factors, and both are known to increase the risk of serious complications such as strokes and heart attacks.
Methods & findings
This study assessed whether hyperuricemia in diabetic patients is related to the development of AF. 400 T2DM patients were followed over a period of 10 years. All patients were without AF at the beginning of the study. Hyperuricemia was found in 73 of the patients. During the study, 10.5% of all patients developed AF. However, among patients with hyperuricemia the risk of developing AF was found to be 2.4 times higher compared to patients with normal SUA levels.
The bottom line
This study concluded that elevated SUA is strongly associated with an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
The fine print
The small number of patients with hyperuricemia included in this study may have biased the published results to some degree.
What’s next?
Consult with your physician regarding the management of serum uric acid levels and their importance in controlling diabetes.
Published By :
The American journal of cardiology
Date :
Aug 15, 2013
