Effects of Different Alcoholic Beverages on Serum Uric Acid Varies Widely

January 17, 2005

Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or

similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of

Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the

content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the

Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters

group of companies around the world.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 12 - There is substantial variability in the

effect of individual alcoholic drinks on serum uric acid levels, according

to a report published in the December 15th issue of Arthritis and

Rheumatism. For example, the investigators found that " beer confers a larger

increase than liquor, whereas moderate wine drinking does not increase serum

uric acid levels. "

The results " indicate that these beverages many affect serum uric acid

levels differentially, thus causing the variation in the risk of incident

gout, " Drs. Hyon K. Choi and Curhan, from Harvard School of Public

Health, Boston, conclude.

The researchers examined the association between consumption of beer,

liquor, and wine and serum uric acid levels in a nationally representative

sample of subjects. They used data from 14,809 participants at least 20

years of age enrolled in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination

Survey. A food frequency questionnaire was used to assess alcohol intake.

" After adjusting for age, the difference in serum uric acid levels as

compared with no intake increased with increasing beer or liquor intake (p

values for trend < 0.001) and the difference for the top category was 0.99

mg/dL and 0.58 mg/dL, respectively, " the investigators report. After

adjusting for covariables, no association was found between wine intake and

serum uric acid levels.

When stratified by sex or BMI, the associations persisted with beer and

liquor in all subgroups. The association with beer was again larger than the

association with liquor. " No association was found with wine intake in any

of the subgroups, " the investigators report.

Arthritis Rheum 2004;51:1023-1029.

Recommended Posts