Objective: High serum uric acid has been reported to be a risk factor for hypertension. However, data regarding this association in Thai adults is lacking. We aimed to examine the association between serum uric acid level and the diagnosis of hypertension in healthy Thai adults.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Srinagarind Hospital, a tertiary care setting in Thailand. A total of 1,754 adults who did a health check-up were recruited. The association between serum uric acid level and hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mmHg, were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid level >6 mg/dL.
Results: Prevalence of hyperuricemia and hypertension in the study population was equal at 25.5%. Subjects with hyperuricemia had higher SBP, DBP, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) than in the subject with normal uric acid level. Every 1 mg/dL increment of the uric acid level was significantly associated with hypertension, with the adjusted Odds ratio of 1.23 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.35, p-value <0.01). Hyperuricemia showed significant association with hypertension, with the adjusted Odds ratio of 2.16 (95% CI 1.63 to 2.85, p-value <0.01), after adjusted with potential confounders, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
Conclusion: Hyperuricemia is associated with hypertension in healthy Thai adults. Serum uric acid measurement may be a useful additional parameter in identifying patients at a high probability of having hypertension.

Keywords: Uric acid; Hyperuricemia; Hypertension; Thailand