Association of weight-adjusted waist index with hyperuricemia and gout among middle-aged and older adults in America: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2007–2014

The weight-adjusted waist circumference index (WWI), a novel obesity indicator, gives better accuracy in assessing both muscle and fat mass. Our goal was to evaluate the relationship between WWI and the occurrence of hyperuricemia/gout among middle-aged and older adults in America.

We analyzed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from the 2007–2014 cycles. Logistic regression analyses, subgroup analyses, and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were performed to evaluate the association between WWI and hyperuricemia/gout prevalence.

A total of 5332 adults aged 50 years and above were included in this study. The prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout was 23.20% and 6.70% respectively. The fourth quartile of WWI was associated with a 56% higher risk for hyperuricemia, compared with the first quartile (OR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.07–2.27, P trend < 0.001). A similar association was found between continuous WWI increase and OR of hyperuricemia in the fully adjusted model (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.13–1.61, P < 0.05). However, WWI was not significantly associated with the prevalence of gout. The RCS model suggested a significant linear relationship between WWI and the risk of hyperuricemia/gout. Stratification analysis showed that the positive associations of WWI with the risk of hyperuricemia were more pronounced in participants who were women, aged 50–59, smokers, no physical activity, non-diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

Our findings suggest a positive correlation between WWI and hyperuricemia among middle-aged and older adults in America. Employing WWI as a tool for hyperuricemia prevention may be meaningful.