Prevalence of hyperuricemia among patients with non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Hyperuricemia is one of the driving factors for the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. However, hyperuricemia is not measured regularly for these patients, and its worsening effect is underestimated. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled magnitude of hyperuricemia among patients with non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Bibliographic databases and gray literature were extensively searched for relevant articles. Eligible articles were extracted using Microsoft Excel and exported to STATA version 17 software for statistical analysis. The pooled magnitude of hyperuricemia computed with Random-effects model. Furthermore, Sensitivity and subgroup analysis was done. Heterogeneity was determined using the I 2 value. Funnel plot and Egger’s test statistics was used to assess publication bias. A total of 2292 patients from 8 studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of hyperuricemia among all patients with non-communicable diseases was 34.64% (95% CI: 29.27%, 40.02%). The prevalence of hyperuricemia among patients with cardiovascular diseases was 42.15% (95% CI: 38.08, 46.21), hypertension 34.79% (95% CI: 20.16, 49.42) and type 2 diabetes 30.87% (95% CI: 24.54, 37.20). The highest prevalence was found in Amhara region (36.73%, 95% CI: 26.12, 47.33), and the lowest was in Central Ethiopia (32.01%, 95% CI: 22.68, 41.34). The magnitude of hyperuricemia among females and males was 34.71% (95% CI: 27.79, 41.63) and 34.51% (95% CI: 29.91, 39.10) respectively. Hyperuricemia among participants aged < 45 years and > 45 years was 27.33% (95% CI: 19.82, 34.85) and 39.68% (95% CI: 34.08, 45.29) respectively. This systematic review and meta-analysis showed high prevalence of hyperuricemia among patients with non-communicable diseases. Therefore, regular monitoring of uric acid level is required to prevent its pathophysiological role in patients with non-communicable diseases. PROSPERO (2025: CRD420251174980).