Relation Between Circadian Rhythm of Blood Pressure and Serum Uric Acid and Body Mass Index

OBJECTIVE: The effect of uric acid and obesity on diurnal blood pressure variation in hypertensive patients is unknown. We aimed to investigate the specific relationship between uric acid, obesity and nocturnal dipping status essential hypertensive patients with normal renal function.

MATERIAL and METHODS: Two hundred sixty-nine patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension or on antihypertensive treatment underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, biochemistry analysis and urine testing.

RESULTS: Patients were classified as either dippers (108 patients, 40%) or nondippers (161 patients, 60%). Uric acid levels were higher in nondippers than in dippers (6.5 +/- 1.2 mg/dL vs. 5.5 +/- 1.1 mg/dL, p==0.001). In the same line, body mass index is significantly higher in nondippers compared to dippers (29.9±3.9 kg/m2 vs. 27.8±3.9kg/m2 , p=0.01).

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that increased serum uric acid levels and body mass index are associated with nondipping blood pressure patterns in patients with essential hypertension.