Study of Serum Uric Acid Level in Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia and is associated with high morbidity and mortality, mainly due to stroke. Non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is its most frequent form. Serum uric acid, a marker of oxidative stress and inflammation, has been suggested as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but its association with NVAF remains uncertain. Methods: A hospital-based, case-control study was conducted at a tertiary care centre, including 80 patients with NVAF and 80 age- and gender-matched controls. Serum uric acid was estimated using the Uricase method. Clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and complications were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test and Chi-square test. Results: The mean serum uric acid level was significantly higher in NVAF cases compared to controls (6.44 ± 1.3 mg/dl vs. 5.54 ± 1.4 mg/dl; p=0.001). Hyperuricemia was observed in 56.25% of cases versus 32.5% of controls (p=0.002). Significant associations were found between hyperuricemia and age >65 years (OR 3.7; p=0.013), hypertension (OR 3.46; p=0.014), type 2 diabetes mellitus (OR 2.72; p=0.031), left atrial size >40 mm (OR 4.75; p=0.001), and hypertriglyceridemia (OR 10.66; p=0.001). No significant association was found with mortality, stroke, or COPD.Conclusion: Hyperuricemia is common in NVAF and significantly associated with important risk factors and comorbidities, including advanced age, hypertension, diabetes, left atrial enlargement, and hypertriglyceridemia. Serum uric acid estimation, being simple and inexpensive, may serve as a useful adjunct marker in the evaluation of NVAF patients. Larger multicentric studies are needed to validate these findings.