STUDY ON URIC ACID LEVELS AND RELATED FACTORS IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS AT MILITARY HOSPITAL 103

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate uric acid (UA) levels and their association with certain clinical and paraclinical characteristics in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 69 patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease (ESRD) receiving MHD at the Nephrology and Hemodialysis Department, Military Hospital 103, from December 2023 to March 2025. Results: The mean UA level was 464.09 ± 122.26 μmol/L. The prevalence of hyperuricemia among the study population was 69.57%. UA levels were significantly associated (p < 0.05) and moderately positively correlated with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) (r = 0.448; p = 0.0001) and blood creatinine levels (r = 0.305; p = 0.011). No significant association was found between UA levels and age, sex, body mass index (BMI), causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD), duration of MHD, residual urine output, or dyslipidemia (p > 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that low BMI, high hemoglobin levels, and blood creatinine levels were independent risk factors for hyperuricemia, with ORs of 0.78, 1.05, and 1.00, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients undergoing MHD have elevated UA levels due to reduced renal clearance. Elevated UA levels are associated with increased CIMT and a higher risk of cardiovascular complications. Ensuring adequate nutrition and adherence to sufficient dialysis sessions may help control UA levels within normal limits, reduce CIMT, lower cardiovascular risk, decrease mortality, and improve treatment outcomes.