Epidemiology of Hyperuricemia in an Ambulatory Elderly Population

Abstract

The relationship of serum uric acid concentration to age and sex was assessed in 1701 participants in a geriatric multiphasic screening clinic. Included were 1067 women and 634 men. The mean uric acid level for men was 6.35 mg/100 ml compared to 5.44 mg/100 ml for women. No statistically significant increases in serum uric acid between age groups were apparent, except for women over 84 yr of age. The mean serum urate concentrations found in this geriatric study were higher than those reported for other population groups, suggesting a higher normal value for the elderly.