Uric acid as a predictor of the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with arterial hypertension

Introduction. Currently, increased uric acid (UA) levels are considered an independent risk factor for the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Oxidative stress, chronic systemic inflammation, and insulin resistance characteristic of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may represent possible mechanisms for the association between the development of hyperuricemia and NAFLD. Aim. To clarify the meaning and nature of the relationship between an increase in the level of UA concentration and the development of NAFLD, as well as to evaluate the relationship between uric acid and the risk of cardiovascular complications in patients with hypertension and NAFLD. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted, which involved 120 patients aged from 45 to 65 with hypertension of 1–2 degrees, 1–2 stages (with and without NAFLD (FLI > 60). During the examination, a clinical examination was carried out: analysis of anamnesis data, anthropometry. Lipids and uric acid in blood plasma were also analyzed. Results. In the group of comorbid patients, there were significantly more patients with excess of the reference values of UA levels in the blood plasma (OR = 2.25: 95% CI 1.08–4.71). ROC analysis showed that with an uric acid level of 369.5 µmol/l, a high risk of developing NAFLD is predicted. The UA/Cr index in patients with hypertension and NAFLD was statistically significantly higher than in patients in the control group. Increase in the MK/Kr index by 1 USD increases the chances of developing NAFLD by 1.54 times (95% CI: 1.11–2.13). Also, an increase in the concentration of sUA level by 1 µmol/l increases the chances of an increase in the 10-year risk of cardiovascular events to 5.0% or more by 0.6%. Conclusions. With an uric acid level of 369.5 µmol/l, a high risk of developing NAFLD in the study group is predicted. Increase in UA/creatinine index by 1 USD increases the chances of developing NAFLD by 1.54 times. In addition, an increase in the concentration of sUA in the blood plasma by 1 µmol/l increases the chances of an increase in the 10-year risk of cardiovascular events to 5.0% or more by 0.6% in patients with hypertension and NAFLD.