Correlation between Hyperuricemia and Decreased Handgrip Strength in Korean Men Aged 65 Years and Older with Metabolic Syndrome: Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2016–2018

Background: This study aimed to investigate whether the presence of metabolic syndrome modified the association between hyperuricemia and possible sarcopenia in older Korean men.Methods: This study utilized data from 1,604 older men aged 65 years or older who participated in the 7th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018).The association between hyperuricemia and possible sarcopenia according to the presence of metabolic syndrome was analyzed using a multiple logistic regression model.Results: A significant difference in the prevalence of possible sarcopenia was observed based on hyperuricemia status among older men with metabolic syndrome (P=0.044).The prevalence of possible sarcopenia was higher in the hyperuricemic group (23.4%) than in the nonhyperuricemic group (15.2%).However, in older men without metabolic syndrome, no significant relationship was found between hyperuricemia and possible sarcopenia (P>0.05).Furthermore, the logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds ratio for possible sarcopenia in the group with metabolic syndrome and hyperuricemia was 1.7 times higher than that in the group without metabolic syndrome and hyperuricemia (odds ratio [OR], 1.701; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.010-2.863).This result remained significantly elevated even after adjusting for age and demographic characteristics in the model (OR, 1.778; 95% CI, 1.019-3.231). Conclusion:This study confirmed that hyperuricemia significantly increases the risk of possible sarcopenia in older individuals aged 65 years or older with metabolic syndrome.These findings suggest that additional assessments for sarcopenia may be warranted in older men with metabolic syndrome when hyperuricemia is present.