Abstract
Serum uric acid (UA) is increased in respiratory disease, especially in the presence of hypoxia and systemic inflammation. We evaluated serum UA as a biomarker for prediction of mortality and future AECOPD.
Serum UA was measured in 314 eligible consecutive patients on admission for acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). Patients were evaluated monthly for 1 year.
UA levels were higher in patients with more severe airflow limitation and in frequent exacerbators. High UA levels (≥6.9 mg·dL−1, median value) were an independent predictor of 30-day mortality in multivariate Cox regression analysis [hazard ratio (HR) 1.327, 95%CI 1.021–1.726; p=0.034], but not of 1-year mortality. Patients with high serum UA required more prolonged hospitalisation, and needed more often non-invasive ventilation and ICU admission in 30 days. High UA was additionally associated with increased risk for AECOPD and hospitalisations for AECOPD in 1-year in multivariate Poisson regression analysis [incidence rate ratios (IRR) 1.184 (95%CI 1.125–1.246), p<0.001 and 1.190 (95%CI 1.105–1.282), respectively; both p<0.001].
Serum UA is associated with increased 30-day mortality and risk for AECOPD and hospitalisations in 1-year follow-up. This low-cost biomarker may be useful in the identification of high-risk COPD patients that could benefit from intensive management.
- ERS
