Abstract

HYPERURICEMIA: A SYSTEMIC REVIEW

Dr. Poonam Sharma*, Pramod Singh and Ashok Bhinda

Abstract

Uric acid is a chemical, created in the body by the breaking down of purines. It is excreted out of the body by the kidneys, through urine, after it dissolves in the blood. If it is not excreted out of the body properly, high levels of uric acid gets accumulated which causes gout and kidney stones. Hyperuricemia is usually caused due to the regular intake of food having high content of purine and conditions such as hyperparathyroidism, lead poisoning, renal failure and side effects of chemotherapy. Hyperuricemia occurs when serum urate levels exceed urate solubility, ie, at approximately 6.8 mg/dL. At serum urate levels above this threshold, manifestations of gouty arthritis may occur, although asymptomatic hyperuricemia often persists for many years. Intercritical asymptomatic periods follow the resolution of acute gout flares, but crystals remain in the joint during these intervals and further deposition may continue silently. Ultimately this may lead to persistent attacks, chronic pain, and, in some patients, joint damage.

Keywords: Hyperuricemia • Uric acid • Diagnosis • Cardiovascular disease • Risk.