Original Research Article http://doi.org/10.18231/j.pjms.2020.009 Panacea Journal of Medical Sciences, January-April, 2020;10(1):36-38 36 A study of serum uric acid levels in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Duggirala Pujitha Chowdary 1 , Sankar Kalairajan 2* , Gerard Joseph Devadassou 3 , Mopuru Penchala Varun 4 1 Post Graduate, 2 Associate Professor, 3 Assistant Professor, 4 Senior Resident, Dept. of General Medicine, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Pondicherry, India *Corresponding Author: Sankar Kalairajan Email: drkkshankar@gmail.com Abstract Hyperuricemia as a predictor in COPD and Exacerbation. The study aims to measure serum uric acid levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a predictor. Materials and Methods: It is an observational study done on 50 COPD patients newly diagnosed or previously diagnosed. Serum uric acid level, chest x-ray and pulmonary function tests were performed with consent. Results: The mean normal Serum uric acid (mg/dl) was 4.86+ 1.6. The increased mean serum uric acid (Hyperuricemia) was 9.67+ 1.8. The mean serum urea and creatinine levels were 26.74+3.91 and 0.94+0.20. The FEV1% Predicted in Normal UAC – 51.8+18.6 and in cases of Hyperuricemia 53.4+16.7. FVC% Predicted in Normal UAC was 77.5+17.8 in cases of Hyperuricemia it was 76.5+18.5. Conclusion: The outcome of our study shows serum uric acid is cost-effective, easy and non-invasive and possibly suitable in assessing the patient disease severity, progression to exacerbation. Keywords: COPD, Serum uric acid, Hyperuricemia, Predictor. Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease causing limitation of airflow due to inflammation of airways with parenchymal destruction and subsequent emphysema formation. Inflammatory mechanisms are mediated by IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha leads to systemic inflammation and worsening of comorbid illness. 1 Serum uric acid is the final product of purine degradation, which increases significantly during hypoxia. 2,3 Elevated uric acid levels have been associated with the presence of systemic inflammation and increased cardiovascular risk. 4,5 In this context, increased levels of uric acid have been shown in respiratory disorders, including obstructive sleep apnoea and pulmonary hypertension. 6,7 Therefore the worse outcome of COPD patients with hyperuricemia seems to involve several factors including systemic inflammation, oxygen desaturation and lung function alterations. Hyperuricemia is also associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, comorbidity that is relevant for mortality in COPD patients. 8,9 However some data exist on the significance of serum uric acid in patients with COPD, few more studies are warranting to add the evidence. Thus, the study aims to measure serum uric acid levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a predictor in staging. Materials and Methods Study design and setting This is a hospital-based observational study carried out in the department of General Medicine, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College & Hospital. Sample size and sampling Based on the Patients availability and feasibility during the study period, we considered 50 as sample size. Study participants Newly or previously diagnosed stable COPD patients were the study participants. All patients aged 30 to 70 years including males and females, smokers and non-smokers were included. Patients with chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, gout, hypertension are excluded from the study. Data and Statistical analysis We collected patient’s basic preliminary history and the required investigations were serum uric acid level, chest x- ray and pulmonary function tests. Data were entered in excel sheet and imported into Epi info for analysis. Descriptive analysis was done. The chi-square statistics were used for the test of significance. Ethical issues This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. After obtaining informed oral and written consent from patients we included them in the study. Results Table 1: Patient Demographic Age (Mean) 58.78+ 8.4 Sex Male -39* Female - 11 Current smoker or H/o previous smoker 39* Occupational exposure 17 Bio Mass fuel 3 Geographic place Urban -36* Rural -14 *P value <0.005