Prognostic value of serum uric acid: new-onset in and out-of-office hypertension and long-term mortality.

Objective: Serum uric acid (SUA) has been associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, but no conclusive evidence exists on whether it is an independent risk factor or a reflection of other risk factors to which it is related. We examined the relationship of SUA with a number of cardiovascular variables [including risk factors never evaluated before, such as organ damage and out-of-office blood pressure (BP)], as well as its prognostic relevance in the population.

Methods: In 2045 participants of the Pressioni Arteriose Monitorate E Loro Associazioni study, we measured, along with SUA, metabolic, renal, and anthropometric variables, left-ventricular mass index, and office, home and ambulatory BP.

Impact of different definitions of the metabolic syndrome on the prevalence of organ damage, cardiometabolic risk and cardiovascular events.

Objectives: We compared definitions of metabolic syndrome performed by ATPIII [the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III; three criteria of the following: systolic blood pressure >or=130 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure >or=85 mmHg, fasting serum glucose >or=110 mg/dl, high-density lipoprotein plasma cholesterol or=150 mg/dl, waist circumference >or=102 cm (men) or 88 cm (women)], AHA (the American Heart Association; same cut-off of ATPIII except serum glucose >or= 100 mg/dl) and IDF [the International Diabetes Federation; mandatory criteria of visceral obesity with reduced cut-off of 94 cm (men) or 80 cm (women), and at least two criteria with the same cut-off as in AHA] for their impact on metabolic syndrome prevalence, cardiac organ damage, long-term risk of cardiovascular events and death for any cause and risk of developing diabetes mellitus, in-office and out-of-office hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).

Methods: In 2051 participants, we measured office, home and ambulatory blood pressure as well as metabolic, anthropometric and echocardiographic variables. Measurements were performed between 1990 and 1992 and repeated 10 years later.