Hyperuricemia: Pathophysiology, Clinical Significance, and Management Strategies
Keywords:
Hyperuricemia, Uric acid, Gout, Metabolic syndrome, Cardiovascular disease, Urate-lowering therapyAbstract
Hyperuricemia, defined as elevated serum uric acid (UA) concentrations exceeding normal physiological ranges (>6.0 mg/dL or 360 µmol/L), represents a significant global health concern affecting millions of individuals worldwide. While historically associated primarily with gout, contemporary research has established hyperuricemia as a multifactorial condition with implications for cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. This comprehensive review synthesizes current evidence regarding the pathophysiology, epidemiology, risk factors, and therapeutic approaches to hyperuricemia. Emerging data emphasizes the importance of precision medicine strategies, lifestyle modifications, and novel pharmacological interventions in optimizing patient outcomes. The study examines genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and the intricate mechanisms by which elevated uric acid promotes systemic pathology. Management strategies are reviewed according to current international guidelines, with particular attention to the treat-to-target approach and emerging therapeutic modalities including gut microbiota manipulation and herbal medicine adjuncts.
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