Association between metabolic syndrome and hyperuricemia in farmers in southeast Brazil
Jhenifer de Souza Couto Oliveira, Monica Cattafesta, Olívia Maria de Paula Alves Bezerra, Eliana Zandonadea, Glenda Blaser Petarli, Luciane Bresciani Salaroli
Abstract
Introduction: metabolic syndrome and hyperuricemia share pathophysiological mechanisms that may coexist and synergistically increase cardiometabolic risk. However, this association remains poorly explored in rural populations such as farmers, who are exposed to specific working conditions, environmental factors, and barriers to access health services.
Objective: to evaluate the association between the presence of metabolic syndrome and hyperuricemia in farmers from Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil.
Methods: this cross-sectional study included 790 farmers. Sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, health conditions, and clinical measurements were collected. Venous blood samples were obtained after a 12-hour fast for the determination of serum uric acid, glucose, and lipid levels using enzymatic colorimetric methods. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the NCEP-ATP III criteria, and hyperuricemia according to cutoff values of 7 mg/dL for men and 6 mg/dL for women. Analyses included nonparametric tests, Spearman’s correlation, and logistic regression adjusted for sociodemographic variables, lifestyle factors, and health conditions.
Results: individuals with metabolic syndrome showed significantly higher serum uric acid levels than those without the syndrome (p < 0.001), including after gender stratification. A progressive increase in uric acid levels was observed with a greater number of diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome, as well as a significant correlation between uric acid and all its components. Farmers with metabolic syndrome were 6.4 times more likely to present hyperuricemia (OR = 6.39; 95%CI 3.51–11.63; p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome was associated with hyperuricemia among farmers, indicating that uric acid may serve as a complementary marker of cardiometabolic risk. These findings highlight the importance of early screening and preventive strategies tailored to rural populations.
Keywords: Metabolic Syndrome, Hyperuricemia, Uric Acid, Rural Population, Risk Factors, Farmers.
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