Uric acid (UA) levels are increased in patients with kidney dysfunction. We analyzed the association between asymptomatic hyperuricemia and new-onset chronic kidney disease (CKD). A retrospective cohort study was designed to collect data from employees of an energy generation and distribution company in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who had undergone the company’s annual medical checkup from 2008 to 2014. People with ≤2 years of follow-up, with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1 or with incomplete data were excluded. The endpoint was defined as eGFR <60 mL·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1 estimated through the chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration equation (CKD-EPI). The study included 1094 participants. The mean follow-up period was 5.05±1.05 years and 44 participants exhibited new-onset CKD. The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 4.2%. There was a significant inverse correlation between baseline serum levels of UA and baseline eGFR (R=-0.21, P<0.001). Female gender (OR=4.00; 95%CI=1.92-8.29, P<0.001) and age (OR=1.06; 95%CI=1.02-1.11, P=0.004) but not UA levels (OR=1.12; 95%CI=0.83-1.50; P=0.465) were associated with new-onset CKD. Diabetes mellitus and body mass index were independent factors for fast progression (OR=2.17; 95%CI=1.24-3.80, P=0.007 and OR=1.04; 95%CI=1.01-1.07; P=0.020). These results did not support UA as an independent predictor for CKD progression in the studied population.

Little is known about the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the World’s working force. We examined the prevalence of such disease in the Company of Generation and Distribution of Energy in Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed to analyze data from employees submitted to the annual company medical check-up in 2008. Medical charts were reviewed for collection of clinical and laboratorial information.RESULTS: The total prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 48.6% (95%CI 46.0-51.2). It increased with age and reached 58.7% (95%CI 56.1-61.3) in employees older than 60 years. The age- adjusted prevalence was 38.2% (95%CI 35.7-40.7). Increased waist circumference was the most prevalent component of the syndrome (94.2%; 95%CI 92.1-95.7), followed by high blood pressure (69.3%; 95%CI 65.7-72.7). In a multivariate analysis age, sedentary lifestyle and level of uric acid were significantly associated with the metabolic syndrome.CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in the studied working population in Rio de Janeiro. Our study will help delineating key risk factors for the development of metabolic syndrome in Brazil and may help the creation of new preventive public health policies.