Hyperuricemia and kidney damage in patients with cardiovascular disease: A review

Abstract

Many studies have been conducted confirming the effect of uric acid (UA) on kidney function. It is obvious that there is a relationship between the effect of UA not only on kidney function, but also on the cardiovascular system, increasing cardiovascular risk. The review article provides basic information about the pathogenesis, principles and features of prescribing therapy to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease. A lot of data currently indicates that hyperuricemia, both with and without crystal deposition, is associated with high cardiovascular risk and decreased kidney function. A number of studies and meta-analyses indicate that urate-reducing therapy prevents and slows down the decline in kidney function in patients with CKD, many of whom suffer from cardiovascular diseases or at least have several risk factors. Despite the fact that currently the guidelines for the treatment of CKD do not include a recommendation for the start of urate-lowering therapy, a large amount of data has been accumulated on the potential benefits of such treatment even in the absence of a diagnosis of gout. The preferred group of drugs for this group of patients are xanthine oxidase inhibitors, and for patients with eGFR below 30 ml/min/1.73 m2, it seems that allopurinol currently has larger evidence base for the efficacy and safety of prescribing.