The Epidemiology of Hyperuricemia in Children of Taiwan Aborigines

Objective: To explore the factors influencing serum uric acid concentrations and the prevalence of hyperuricemia in aboriginal children from an area in Taiwan with a high prevalence of gouty arthritis.

Methods: A cross sectional study of the Bunun tribe was conducted in central Taiwan from March to May 2001. Children aged 4-13 were requested to fill out a structured questionnaire with the assistance of their parents. A total of 414 children (mean age, 8.9 +/- 2.1 yrs) were recruited. Uric acid was determined by colorimetry using the uricase method. Since no previous study has investigated serum uric acid concentrations in these aboriginal children, hyperuricemia was defined as uric acid > 416.5 micromol/l (7 mg/dl) in boys and > 357 micromol/l (6 mg/dl) in girls.

Results: The mean concentration of serum uric acid was 368.9 +/- 83.3 micro mol/l. Ninety of 224 girls (40.2%) and 56 of 190 boys (29.5%) were hyperuricemic. Children with hyperuricemia had significantly higher body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and triglyceride and creatinine concentrations than those with normal uric acid concentrations. After adjustment for age, sex, lipid profile, and blood pressure, hyperuricemia was found to be significantly associated with serum creatinine (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.91-3.04), BMI (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.11-1.40), and a family history of gouty arthritis in parents (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.02-3.96).

Conclusion: BMI, a positive family history of gouty arthritis in parents, and creatinine level correlated with hyperuricemia in aboriginal children in Taiwan.