Association study between serum uric acid and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in elderly population in Wuhan City

LI Cheng; RONG Shuang; BAO Wei; HU Shouzhang

doi:10.16462/j.cnki.zhjbkz.2025.07.005

Volume 29 Issue 7

Jul. 2025

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Article Navigation > CHINESE JOURNAL OF DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION > 2025 > 29(7): 775-781

LI Cheng, RONG Shuang, BAO Wei, HU Shouzhang. Association study between serum uric acid and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in elderly population in Wuhan City[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION, 2025, 29(7): 775-781. doi: 10.16462/j.cnki.zhjbkz.2025.07.005

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LI Cheng, RONG Shuang, BAO Wei, HU Shouzhang. Association study between serum uric acid and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in elderly population in Wuhan City[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION, 2025, 29(7): 775-781. doi: 10.16462/j.cnki.zhjbkz.2025.07.005

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Association study between serum uric acid and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in elderly population in Wuhan City

doi: 10.16462/j.cnki.zhjbkz.2025.07.005

1.
Affiliated Geriatric Hospital, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
2.
Institute of Public Health Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China

Funds:

Joint Fund of Hubei Provincial Health Commission WJ2019H306

More Information

Corresponding author: HU Shouzhang, E-mail: 547242190@qq.com
Received Date: 2025-01-08
Rev Recd Date: 2025-04-27

Available Online: 2025-08-11

Publish Date: 2025-07-10

Abstract

Abstract

Objective To investigate the association between serum uric acid and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in an elderly population. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults aged ≥65 years recruited from three community health centers in Wuhan, China, between December 2020 and August 2022. Participants completed questionnaires, underwent physical examinations and blood biochemical testing, and were assessed for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via abdominal ultrasonography. Logistic regression quantified the association between serum uric acid levels and NAFLD risk, expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Stratified analyses by gender were performed. Results The study included 1 353 elderly participants, with an overall NAFLD prevalence of 37.32%. Logistic regression revealed that compared to the lowest serum uric acid quartile (Q1: ≤257 μmol/L), the adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for NAFLD in the Q2 (> 258-310 μmol/L), Q3 (> 311- < 370 μmol/L), and Q4 (≥370 μmol/L) groups were 1.02 (0.70-1.51), 1.63 (1.11-2.39), and 2.29 (1.50-3.51), respectively. Each 60 μmol/L increment in serum uric acid was associated with a 29% increased risk of NAFLD (OR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.16-1.44). Gender-stratified analyses demonstrated a consistent dose-response relationship between elevated serum uric acid levels and NAFLD risk in both males and females. Gender stratification analysis showed a consistent dose-response relationship between elevated serum uric acid levels and NAFLD risk in men and women. Conclusions Serum uric acid levels exhibit a significant positive association with NAFLD prevalence in the elderly, suggesting that hyperuricemia may serve as an independent risk factor for NAFLD. Proactive management of serum UA levels in older adults could contribute to NAFLD prevention strategies.
- Elderly,
- Serum uric acid,
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

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References(23)

References

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