An effect of statin on serum uric acid in patients with dyslipidemia at a tertiary care hospital

Background

Hyperuricemia in dyslipidemic patients has been addressed as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease, because of its association with atherosclerosis and elevated oxidative stress. Hence, the main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of statins on blood uric acid level in patients being treated for dyslipidemia at a tertiary care hospital.

Methods

The study comprised 120 patients with dyslipidemia who were treated at UCMS-TH's outpatient medicine department over a six-month period from December 2022 to May 2023. Participants who met the inclusion criteria for this interventional longitudinal study had their serum uric acid and lipid parameters measured at the start of the study and again after 6 weeks of statin therapy. Using a dependent t-test, we compared the effects of statin on uric acid reduction in the serum.

Results

Statin significantly reduced serum uric acid levels from 6.36 ± 1.02 mg/dL baseline to 5.12 ± 0.43 mg/dL (P < 0.001) after 6 weeks of treatment. The lipid markers LDL-C, TG, TC, and VLDL were all lowered, whereas the HDL level was raised (P < 0.05) after 6 weeks of statin medication.

Conclusion

Because of the association between elevated serum uric acid levels and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, statins like atorvastatin may be prescribed to dyslipidemic individuals at high risk for cardiovascular mortality due to hyperuricemia.