Original Research

Association of obesity with hyperuricaemia among HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy in South-Western Uganda

Simon P. Rugera, Hope Mudondo, Jazira Tumusiime, Rahma Udu, Ritah Kiconco, Sylvia A. Lumumba, Charles N. Bagenda
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 14, No 1 | a2565 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2565 | © 2025 Simon P. Rugera, Hope Mudondo, Jazira Tumusiime, Rahma Udu, Ritah Kiconco, Sylvia A. Lumumba, Charles N. Bagenda | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 16 July 2024 | Published: 19 February 2025

About the author(s)

Simon P. Rugera, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
Hope Mudondo, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
Jazira Tumusiime, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
Rahma Udu, Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, School of Applied and Health Sciences, Technical University of Mombasa, Mombasa, Kenya
Ritah Kiconco, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda; and, Department of Biochemistry, School of Health Sciences, Soroti University, Soroti, Uganda
Sylvia A. Lumumba, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda; and, Department of Medical Science, School of Applied and Health Sciences, Technical University of Mombasa, Mombasa, Kenya
Charles N. Bagenda, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Hyperuricaemia is a risk factor for gout and independently predicts hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease development. While elevated uric acid levels occur in HIV patients, and weight gain is linked to dolutegravir-based therapy, data on the obesity-hyperuricaemia relationship in this population remain limited.

Objective: The objective of our study was to evaluate the association between obesity and hyperuricaemia among HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy in South-Western Uganda.

Methods: Between April 2024 and June 2024, this study conducted a secondary analysis of data on uric acid level and factors associated with obesity from a 2023 cross-sectional study of HIV-positive participants. We used logistic regression to assess the factors associated with hyperuricaemia, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to assess the predictive performance of body mass index for hyperuricaemia.

Results: Among 328 participants, hyperuricaemia prevalence was 23.48% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19.19–28.39%) higher in male participants (31.6%) than female participants (20.0%, p = 0.023). Overweight (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.01–4.00; p = 0.046), obesity (aOR: 2.50; 95% CI: 1.09–5.73, p = 0.030), and male gender (aOR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.07–5.01, p = 0.033) were significantly associated with hyperuricaemia.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate a relationship between hyperuricaemia and obesity in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy in Uganda. Nationwide studies using primary data are needed to better understand this relationship’s epidemiological spread.

What this study adds: This study is the first to link obesity with hyperuricaemia among HIV-positive Ugandans on antiretroviral therapy, highlighting obesity as a key metabolic complication of HIV treatment.


Keywords

Hyperuricemia; obesity; human immunodeficiency virus; antiretroviral therapy; dolutegravir

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Metrics

Total abstract views: 598
Total article views: 256


Crossref Citations

No related citations found.