U-shaped association of uric acid to overall-cause mortality and its impact on clinical management of hyperuricemia.

Serum uric acid (SUA) is significantly elevated in obesity, gout, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and the metabolic syndrome and appears to contribute to the renal, cardiovascular and pulmonary comorbidities that are associated with these disorders. Most previous studies have focused on the pathophysiologic effects of high levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia). More recently, research has also shifted to the impact of hypouricemia, with multiple studies showing the potentially damaging effects that can be caused by abnormally low levels of SUA.