Hyperuricemia protects against low bone mineral density, osteoporosis and fractures: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

BACKGROUND: Serum uric acid (SUA) accounts for about 50% of extracellular antioxidant activity, suggesting that hyperuricemia may have a protective role in diseases characterized by high levels of oxidative stress, such as osteoporosis. We aimed to meta-analyse data regarding bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis and fractures in people with higher SUA vs. lower SUA concentrations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two investigators conducted a literature search using PubMed and Scopus, without language restrictions. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used for BMD; risk ratios (RRs) and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for cross-sectional data. Most possible adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were used to assess the association between baseline SUA and incident fractures. RESULTS: = 0%). No significant differences between men and women emerged, although data about women were limited. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperuricemia was found independently associated with BMD and fractures, supporting a protective role for uric acid in bone metabolism disorders.