Don’t request uric acid as part of routine assessment of cardiovascular risk, obesity or diabetes.

Don’t request uric acid as part of routine assessment of cardiovascular risk, obesity or diabetes.

Type of practice

Laboratory tests

Age

Adult, Geriatric

Topic Area

Laboratory Medicine

The association between uric acid and the risk of major cardiovascular events and/or cardiovascular mortality has long been studied, but the cost-effectiveness of pharmacological reduction of asymptomatic hyperuricemia of this strategy in preventing cardiovascular events is unproven.

Sources

1. Culleton BF, Larson MG, et al. Serum uric acid and risk for cardiovascular disease and death: the Framingham Heart Study. Ann Intern Med 1999;131:7-13. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-131-1-199907060-00003.
2. Wheeler JG, Juzwishin KDM, Eiriksdottir G, et al. Serum uric acid and coronary heart disease in 9,458 incident cases and 155,084 controls: Prospective study and metaanalysis. PLoS Med 2005; 2: e76.
3. Stamp L, Dalbeth N. Urate lowering therapy for asymptomatic hyperuricemia. A need for caution. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2017; 46: 457-64.
4. Li Q, Li X, Wang J, et al. Diagnosis and treatment for hyperuricemia and gout: a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements. BMJ Open 2019;9:e026677. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026677

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Attention. Please note that these items are provided only for information and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a clinician. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their clinician.