The Association Between the Serum Uric Acid to Creatinine Ratio and Metabolic Syndrome, Liver Function, and Alcohol Intake in Healthy Japanese Subjects

Background: In patients with diabetes mellitus, the serum uric acid (UA) to creatinine (Cr) ratio (UA/Cr) has been reported to be associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). In healthy subjects, however, this relationship and a possible association with pathological conditions remain undetermined. Methods: In total, 9104 Japanese subjects who had undergone an annual health examination and who were not receiving medication were divided into four groups based on UA/Cr values, and various markers were compared. Results: Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, glycemic state, lipids [except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)], renal function, transaminases, and numbers of MetS components increased, according to UA/Cr quartiles, as the UA/Cr increased. In contrast, HDL-C and Cr decreased as the UA/Cr increased. UA/Cr values increased as the number of MetS increased. When UA/Cr values within each alcohol consumption group were investigated, the overall metabolic profile was the worst in subjects who consumed >= 75 grams ethanol a day with a UA/Cr of >= 6.8, except for fasting immunoreactive insulin (FIRI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and HDL-C values. Subjects who did not consume alcohol with a UA/Cr of >= 6.8 showed the highest FIRI, HOMA-IR, and LDL-C values. Conclusions: The UA/Cr was associated with components of MetS, liver function, and alcohol intake in healthy Japanese subjects. The UA/Cr might be a useful marker to distinguish subjects with high IR and dyslipidemia who do not consume alcohol.