Community-based study in Taiwan aborigines concerning renal dysfunction in gout patients

Objective: To reveal the factors associated with renal dysfunction among gout patients in Taiwan aborigines. Methods: Social demographic data, alcohol consumption data, anthropometric measurements, blood samples, and 24-h urine samples were collected from 128 aboriginals (101 men, 27 women) suffering from gout. Results: The men displayed higher mean creatinine clearance (Ccr) values than women. Twenty-two post-menopausal women had significantly lower Ccr values compared to the five pre-menopausal women [probability (p)<0.001]. The males displayed higher 24-h urinary creatinine value than females (8.60 ± 5.39 versus 5.58 + 2.14 mmol/L; p < 0.05), and showed a significantly higher positive relationship between 24-h urinary creatinine and uric acid excretion [correlation coefficient (r) = 0.7304; p < 0.001], whereas the females did not (r = 0.1144; p = 0.5691). Overall, those who were older members of the Tsou tribe, or had excreted less uric acid from urine in 24 h tended to suffer renal dysfunction. Conclusions: Gout patients displayed diversity in renal function. An exogenous source of creatinine in men was more likely than in women.