Establishment of Reference Intervals for Serum Uric Acid Among Adults in China

Abstract

Background

The reference interval (RI) for serum uric acid (SUA) is a critical parameter for clinical diagnosis. However, systematic studies reflecting SUA levels across different regions in China are lacking. We aim to establish reference intervals for SUA using samples from multiple centers across China.

Methods

This cross-sectional study collected serum samples from 9314 healthy individuals across 6 regions in China (Shenyang, Yinchuan, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Changsha, and Nanning) between June and December 2020. The samples were analyzed using standardized methods, and non-parametric statistics were applied to assess differences in SUA levels.

Results

The analysis revealed significant sex-based differences in SUA levels. The mean SUA level was 345.3 μmol/L in men and 276.9 μmol/L in women. The RI for men was 215.5–494.3 μmol/L, while that for women was 180.3–425.7 μmol/L. When stratified by sex and age, the RI for men aged 18–29 years was 226.4–508.9 μmol/L, and that for men aged 30–100 years was 213.4–485.1 μmol/L. For women, the RIs were 184.1–430.4 μmol/L (18–29 years), 176.5–414.1 μmol/L (30–49 years), 183.2–422.1 μmol/L (50–59 years), 185.8–429.2 μmol/L (60–79 years), and 194.5–478.6 μmol/L (80–100 years). Regional analysis also showed significant variation in SUA levels: the RI was 194.9–496.2 μmol/L in Shenyang, 192.5–447.8 μmol/L in Changsha, and 187.1–468.3 μmol/L for the combined regions of Nanning, Hangzhou, Chengdu, and Yinchuan.

Conclusion

We successfully established RIs for SUA across different age groups, sexes, and geographic regions in China.