Cumulative exposure of serum uric acid to serum creatinine ratio and the risk of carotid plaque： a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective  To explore the association between cumulative exposure indicators of serum uric acid to serum creatinine ratio (SUA/Scr) and incident carotid plaque. Methods  This study included 9 228 individuals who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria from the Beijing Health Management Cohort. The cumulative exposure, cumulative exposure burden and high exposure time of SUA/Scr were calculated based on the values of SUA/Scr in three physical examinations in 2010 to 2011 (visit 1), 2012 to 2013 (visit 2), and 2014 to 2015 (visit 3). Carotid plaque was diagnosed by carotid ultrasound, and the follow-up was until December 31, 2021. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between SUA/Scr cumulative exposure indicators and carotid plaque occurrence, and sensitivity analysis was performed by excluding the participants with the usage of antihypertensive drugs, or glucose-lowering drugs, or lipid-lowering drugs. Results  The mean age of the study population was (48.89±10.22) years, and 5 846(63.35%) participants were males. The participants were divided into four groups according to the quartiles of SUA/Scr cumulative exposure, namely Q1-Q4 groups. After adjusting for covariates in models, compared with Q1 group, the ORs (95%CIs) of incident carotid plaque in Q2, Q3 and Q4 groups were 1.221 (95%CI：1.066-1.400), 1.255(95%CI： 1.095-1.439) and 1.478 (95%CI：1.287-1.697). Cumulative exposure burden greater than 0 (OR=1.223，95%CI：1.109-1.349) and high exposure time of 6 years (OR=1.332，95%CI：1.171-1.515) were both associated with increased risk of carotid plaque occurrence. Sensitivity analysis excluded participants with the usage of any antihypertensive drugs, glucose-lowering drugs, or lipid-lowering drugs. The results were similar to those in main analysis. Conclusion Cumulative exposure, cumulative exposure burden and high exposure time of SUA/Scr were associated with increased risk of incident carotid plaque. In the primary prevention of carotid plaque, we should focus not only on SUA/Scr value at a single point time, but also on long-term monitoring of SUA/Scr values.

Keywords

serum uric acid to serum creatinine ratio / cumulative exposure / carotid plaque / cohort study