Uric acid, lung function, physical capacity and exacerbation frequency in patients with COPD: a multi-dimensional approach

BACKGROUND: Recent investigations showed single associations between uric acid levels, functional parameters, exacerbations and mortality in COPD patients. The aim of this study was to describe the role of uric acid within the network of multiple relationships between function, exacerbation and comorbidities. METHODS: We used baseline data from the German COPD cohort COSYCONET which were evaluated by standard multiple regression analyses as well as path analysis to quantify the network of relations between parameters, particularly uric acid. RESULTS: Data from 1966 patients were analyzed. Uric acid was significantly associated with reduced FEV(1), reduced 6-MWD, higher burden of exacerbations (GOLD criteria) and cardiovascular comorbidities, in addition to risk factors such as BMI and packyears. These associations remained significant after taking into account their multiple interdependences. Compared to uric acid levels the diagnosis of hyperuricemia and its medication played a minor role. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of a cross-sectional approach, our results strongly suggest that uric acid is a biomarker of high impact in COPD and plays a genuine role for relevant outcomes such as physical capacity and exacerbations. These findings suggest that more attention should be paid to uric acid in the evaluation of COPD disease status.