Uric acid is positively associated with metabolic syndrome but negatively associated with diabetes in Japanese men.

Background: The relationships between uric acid and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and diabetes, as well as the gender differences in these relationships are controversial.
Methods: Medical check-up data from 2,449 Japanese men and 1,448 Japanese women were examined. The prevalence of MetS and diabetes was calculated by the quartiles of serum levels of uric acid. Correlation coefficients between uric acid and MetS-related risk factors were calculated and compared between men and women.
Results: The prevalence of MetS in the 3rd quartile (Q3) of uric acid was significantly higher than that in the 1st (lowest) quartile (Q1) and the prevalence of MetS in the 4th quartile (Q4) was significantly higher than that in Q1, the 2nd quartile (Q2), and Q3 in men. The prevalence of MetS in Q4 was significantly higher than that in Q1, Q2, and Q3 in women. The prevalence of diabetes in Q3 was significantly lower than that in Q1 and the prevalence of diabetes in Q4 was significantly lower than that in Q1 and Q2 in men. The prevalence of diabetes was not significantly different among the quartiles of uric acid in women. The age-adjusted correlation coefficient between uric acid and fasting glucose was not significant in men.
Conclusion: Uric acid is positively associated with metabolic syndrome but negatively associated with diabetes in Japanese men.