Aim: 

Hyperuricemia is often associated with other metabolic diseases in elderly. Previous studies have suggested that insulin resistance is correlated with a decrease of renal urate clearance. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation among diet, nutritional status and serum uric acid level in overweight and obese aging subjects.

Methods: 

30 patients (18 Caucasian females, 60–80 years old) attending the Outpatient Clinics of the Neuroscience Department were recruited. The parameters analyzed for each patient were: height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference; fat mass and free fat mass were evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Biochemical parameters, such as serum uric acid, glucose, nitrogen, cholesterol and baseline insulin were determined. Arterial blood pressure was accurately monitored. A low-purine, hypocaloric diet was administered to each patient for three months.

Results: 

In this preliminary study all patients showed a significant reduction of serum uric acid (6.34 1.44 versus 7.34 1.19 mg/dl, p < 0.01) at the end of the three month observation period. BMI significantly decreased: 31.89 5.75 versus 33.9 5.94, p < 0.01; waist circumference was reduced: 101.82 11.54 versus 109.19 12.04 cm, p < 0.01. No significant changes were observed in serum glucose and arterial blood pressure.

Conclusions: 

Our results show a significant reduction in serum uric acid level accompanied by the decrease in BMI and waist circumference. The reduction of BMI and waist circumference are usually associated with a lower insulin resistance that is known to affect body metabolism. Therefore, these changes could be suggested as indicators of an overall reduction of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in overweight or obese elderly.