Correlation of Serum Uric Acid with Severity and Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disorder associated with increasing morbidity, mortality, and risk of end-stage kidney disease. Serum uric acid (SUA) has emerged as a potential biomarker in CKD due to its involvement in oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and renal microvascular injury. This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between serum uric acid levels and severity and progression of chronic kidney disease.

Methods:
A hospital-based observational study was conducted among 100 adult patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. All participants underwent clinical evaluation and laboratory investigations, including serum uric acid, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, eGFR, and urine protein assessment. CKD severity was categorized according to eGFR-based staging. The association between serum uric acid levels and renal function parameters was analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.

Results:
The majority of patients belonged to the 41–60 years age group (46.0%), with male predominance (64.0%). Hypertension was the most common comorbidity (72.0%), followed by diabetes mellitus (48.0%). Hyperuricemia was observed in 62.0% of patients, with a mean serum uric acid level of 7.82 ± 1.86 mg/dL. Serum uric acid showed a significant positive correlation with serum creatinine (r=0.624, p<0.001) and blood urea nitrogen (r=0.572, p<0.001) and a significant negative correlation with eGFR (r=−0.681, p<0.001). Mean uric acid levels increased progressively with advancing CKD stages (p<0.001). Logistic regression demonstrated that serum uric acid was an independent predictor of advanced CKD (Stage ≥4) (AOR 1.82, 95% CI 1.32–2.51, p<0.001).

Conclusion:
Elevated serum uric acid levels are significantly associated with worsening renal function and advanced CKD severity. Serum uric acid may serve as a simple and useful prognostic marker for identifying patients at higher risk of CKD progression.