Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2019-2023. A total of 2, 799 children and adolescents aged 10-18 years were included in the analysis. Proteinuria was defined as a dipstick urinalysis result of 1 +. Statistical analyses were conducted using sampling weights and adjustments for the complex survey design to ensure national representativeness of the Korean pediatric population. Associations were examined using a logistic regression model, treating serum uric acid as both a continuous and a categorical variable divided into quartiles: <4. 4, 4. 4-5. 2, 5. 3-6. 2, and 6. 3 mg/dL. Models were adjusted for sex, age, body mass index z-score, urine specific gravity. Results: The mean serum uric acid level was 5. 5 1. 4 mg/dL, and overall prevalence of proteinuria was 5. 4%. As serum uric acid quartiles increased, the prevalence of proteinuria increased across quartiles (2. 2%, 5. 0%, 6. 4%, and 7. 5% in the first through fourth quartiles, respectively; P = 0. 002). In the unadjusted model, increased serum uric acid levels were associated with a higher risk of proteinuria odds ratio (OR) = 1. 36; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1. 16-1. 54;P < 0. 001. In the adjusted model, the associations for proteinuria (adjusted OR = 1. 55; 95% CI: 1. 27-1. 90;P < 0. 001) remained significant. Compared with the lowest serum uric acid quartile, the highest quartile showed a significantly increased risk of proteinuria (adjusted OR = 4. 59; 95% CI: 2. 13-9. 91;P < 0. 001). Non-linear relationships were not observed between serum uric acid levels and proteinuria (P for nonlinearity = 0. 571). Conclusion: Elevated serum uric acid levels were independently associated with an increased prevalence of proteinuria in general population of children and adolescents. These findings suggest that elevated serum uric acid levels may be a potential risk factor contributing to the development of proteinuria in this population. I have no potential conflict of interest to disclose. I did not use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process.
Jacqueline Shoo (Wed,) studied this question.
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