SERUM URIC ACID AS A PREDICTOR OF MICROVASCULAR AND MACROVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS IN SOUTH ASIAN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: A METAANALYSIS OF OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2026v19i4.58593Keywords:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Serum uric acid, South Asian population, Diabetic complications, Meta-analysis.Abstract
Objectives: The objective of the study was to systematically evaluate evidence from observational studies in adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to determine whether higher serum uric acid (SUA) levels are associated with an increased risk of microvascular (e.g., nephropathy/ albuminuria) and macrovascular (e.g., coronary artery disease [CAD]) complications, and to examine the consistency of any relationship between SUA and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).
Methods: We systematically searched multiple electronic databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science (Science Citation Index), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for observational studies published between 2014 and 2024 that evaluated associations between SUA, HbA1c, and vascular outcomes in South Asian adults with T2DM. Eligible studies were appraised for quality, and relevant data were extracted to construct a master characteristics table and a statistical dataset. Forest plots were generated to analyze correlation coefficients and odds ratios (ORs) for nephropathy, CAD, and surrogate vascular markers.
Results: Four cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria. Correlation analyses revealed a positive relationship between SUA and microvascular indicators such as albuminuria (r≈0.24) and carotid intima-media thickness (r≈0.25). Pooled analysis demonstrated that elevated SUA was associated with increased odds of diabetic nephropathy (OR≈3.1) and CAD (OR≈2.1). No consistent association was observed between SUA and HbA1c levels. Heterogeneity was moderate, and most estimates were adjusted for key confounders.
Conclusion: SUA is positively associated with microvascular and macrovascular complications in South Asian patients with T2DM. Further longitudinal studies are needed to validate its predictive utility and potential role in risk stratification.
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