 |
|
|
 |
The Epidemiology of Hyperuricemia in Children of Taiwan Aborigines
CHIU-SHONG LIU, TSAI-CHUN LI, and CHENG-CHIEH LIN
ABSTRACT.
Methods. A cross sectional study of the Bunun tribe was conducted in central Taiwan from March to May 2001. Children aged 4–13 were requested to fill out a structured questionnaire with the assistance of their parents. A total of 414 children (mean age, 8.9 ± 2.1 yrs) were recruited. Uric acid was determined by colorimetry using the uricase method. Since no previous study has investigated serum uric acid concentrations in these aboriginal children, hyperuricemia was defined as uric acid > 416.5 µmol/l (7 mg/dl) in boys and > 357 µmol/l (6 mg/dl) in girls. Results. The mean concentration of serum uric acid was 368.9 ± 83.3 µmol/l. Ninety of 224 girls (40.2%) and 56 of 190 boys (29.5%) were hyperuricemic. Children with hyperuricemia had significantly higher body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and triglyceride and creatinine concentrations than those with normal uric acid concentrations. After adjustment for age, sex, lipid profile, and blood pressure, hyperuricemia was found to be significantly associated with serum creatinine (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.91–3.04), BMI (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.11–1.40), and a family history of gouty arthritis in parents (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.02–3.96). Conclusion. BMI, a positive family history of gouty arthritis in parents, and creatinine level correlated with hyperuricemia in aboriginal children in Taiwan. (J Rheumatol 2003;30:841-5) Key Indexing Terms:
HYPERURICEMIA
From the Department of Family Medicine, Center of Community Health, China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. Supported by a grant from China Medical College Hospital Research Funds. C-S. Liu, MD, MPH, Department of Family Medicine; T-C. Li, MPH, PhD, Institute of Chinese Medicine; C-C. Lin, MD, MHA, Department of Family Medicine, China Medical College Hospital. Address reprint requests to Dr. C-S. Liu, Department of Family Medicine, China Medical College Hospital, No. 2, Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, Taiwan. E-mail: liucs@ms14.hinet.net Submitted February 8, 2002; revision accepted September 26, 2002. |