Association of serum uric acid with functional disability in older subjects: a population-based study

The role of serum uric acid (SUA) in the development of adverse health outcomes in advanced age is still uncertain.

The aim of the study was to assess the association of disability with SUA levels in older community-dwelling subjects.

We assessed the association of disability with SUA in all 351 inhabitants of Tuscania (Italy) aged 75+. Functional ability was estimated using the instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).

In logistic regression, increasing SUA levels were associated with disability (OR = 1.22; 95%CI = 1.01–1.48; P = .036), after adjusting. The association was independent of both gender and age (P for interaction > 0.050). SUA levels above 5.5 mg/dL best predicted disability.

In older subjects, SUA levels are associated with disability; the cut off level above 5.5 mg/dL might be adopted in pharmacological trials aiming at reducing the incidence and progression of disability by reducing SUA, and for identifying subjects at increased risk of disability.