The association between hyperuricemia and left atrial enlargement in healthy adults

BACKGROUND: Although hyperuricemia (HU) has been reported to be related to atrial fibrillation (AF), the relationship between HU and left atrial (LA) enlargement is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between HU and LA enlargement in healthy adults in China. METHODS: This study retrospectively surveyed 5,392 people (3,336 males and 2,056 females) who underwent health checks. Basic data were obtained from all participants, including baseline characteristics and general health status through laboratory tests, echocardiography, and interviews. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze the experimental data and determine the association between HU and LA enlargement. In addition, the relationship between HU and LA enlargement in different gender groups was analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of HU in this study was 20.3%. Compared with the normal LA group, the prevalence of HU in the LA enlargement group was significantly higher [31.5% vs. 18.1%; P<0.001; odds ratio (OR) =2.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.78–2.45]. After adjustment for confounding variables, the interrelation of HU on LA enlargement was found to be independent in the total participants (OR =1.25, 95% CI: 1.04–1.51; P=0.017), especially in women (OR =1.73; 95% CI: 1.10–2.74; P=0.019) but not in men (P=0.195). CONCLUSIONS: HU is independently associated with LA enlargement in healthy adults, especially in women.