Frequency of Metabolic Syndrome in Hyperuricemic Patients Attending Allied Hospital II, Faisalabad

Abstract

Background: Hyperuricemia has been increasingly recognized not only as a precursor to gout but also as a possible contributor to the development of metabolic syndrome.

Objective: To determine the frequency and association of metabolic syndrome in patients diagnosed with hyperuricemia presenting to a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, Allied Hospital II, Faisalabad, from July 2024 to January 2025. A total of 180 hyperuricemic patients aged 18 to 70 years were enrolled using non-probability consecutive sampling. Patients with kidney disease, hepatitis, alcohol intake, and pregnancy/lactation were excluded. After obtaining informed consent, clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory investigations were performed.

Results: Out of 180 patients with hyperuricemia, 74 (41.1%) were found to have metabolic syndrome. The most frequent components were reduced HDL cholesterol (68.9%), elevated triglycerides (61.7%), and abdominal obesity (53.3%). Metabolic syndrome was significantly more common in females (47.4%) than in males (36.5%) (p = 0.041), and increased steadily with BMI and age. A trend of rising mean uric acid levels was observed with an increasing number of metabolic syndrome components.

Conclusion: It is concluded that a substantial proportion of patients with hyperuricemia also have metabolic syndrome, particularly those with higher BMI and advancing age. These findings suggest the need for routine screening and early intervention in hyperuricemic individuals to mitigate future cardiometabolic risks.