REDUCTION OF URIC ACID LEVELS IN A DIETARY INTERVENTION STUDY IN POST-MENOPAUSE WOMEN WITH A CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTOR

BACKGROUND: Serum uric acid (SUA) levels in women remain low until menopause, when SUA levels begin to increase and reach levels similar to those found in men due to the loss of the uricosuric effect of estrogen. During menopause, other factors influence SUA levels such as hormone replacement therapy which reduces them and dietary factors which increase levels (meat, seafood, fructose, alcohol and sodium) or decrease them (coffee and ascorbic acid). In particular, the Mediterranean diet can reduce SUA levels in patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia. AIM: To evaluate the impact of dietary changes on SUA levels in post-menopausal women free from hormone replacement therapy in a dietary intervention study. METHODS. Postmenopausal women with a BMI between 24 and 39 kg/m² and at least one additional cardiovascular (CV) risk factor followed for two years with a quarterly follow-up. Anthropometric measurements were carried out including waist and hip circumferences, waist-hip ratio and skin fold measurement, blood pressure measurement in triplicate and assessment of body composition using bioimpedance measurement; Questionnaires on medical history, physical activity and food frequency (FFQ) were administered. Participants were placed on a balanced, low-calorie diet designed to meet their specific needs and goals. Biochemical tests at baseline and follow-up included uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin. Repeated measures ANOVA were performed at the end of the one-year period to analyze changes in anthropometric measurements, BP, biochemical parameters, and other variables. RESULTS. At one-year, significant reductions (p<0.01) in weight (-4.3 kg), BMI, waist circumferences (-4.1 cm), subscapular (-5.2 mm), suprailiac (- 2.9 mm) and triceps (-4.5 mm), of the fat mass obtained by skinfold measurement (-4.2 kg) without reduction in lean mass (-0.2 kg), systolic (-7.4 mmHg) and diastolic (-3.6 mmHg) BP associated with a reduction in uric acid levels (0.38 mg/dl). CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the importance of dietary interventions in menopausal women in managing SUA levels and related health risks.