A Novel Approach to Determining Bone Loss Through Serum Uric Acid Levels: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Analysis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Osteoporosis has a rising global incidence and social burden. Serum uric acid’s dual roles in oxidative stress and inflammation may influence bone health, but findings are inconsistent and require further research. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between SUA levels and osteoporosis in a multicenter cohort obtained from different regions of Türkiye. Methods: This multi-center retrospective study included 3280 individuals, postmenopausal women and men aged 45 and older, from 16 centers in Türkiye. Individuals were excluded if they recently consumed alcohol, had severe renal dysfunction, certain hormonal or mineral disorders, specific medications, or certain menopausal statuses. Bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip and lumbar spine was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and participants were classified as normal or having osteopenia or osteoporosis based on T-score thresholds. Results: Overall, 34.8% were male, and 65.2% were female. For the lumbar spine, 36.8% had osteopenia, and 13.5% had osteoporosis; similarly, for the total hip, 40.8% had osteopenia, and 7.9% had osteoporosis. ROC analysis identified a threshold of 3.9 mg/dL serum uric acid (SUA) (AUC 0.374; p < 0.001), which was positively associated with both lumbar and total hip BMD. Osteoporosis rates were higher in patients with SUA < 3.9 mg/dL compared to those with SUA ≥ 3.9 mg/dL at the lumbar spine (29.1% vs. 14.2%, p < 0.001) and total hip sites (23.6% vs. 15.9%, p = 0.003). After adjustment for potential confounders, SUA was a significant independent predictor of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine (OR 0.70; p < 0.001) and the hip (OR 0.80; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Serum uric acid levels are inversely linked to bone mineral density and osteoporosis risk, indicating a potential role in bone health. However, due to study limitations, causal relationships remain unproven, and further research is needed.
Source: Journal of Clinical Medicine
DOI: 10.3390/jcm15083020
Authors: Ahmet Aydin, Turkan Pasali Kilit, Seher Kir, Esref Arac, Osman Ozudogru, Nazmiye Serap Bicer, Gulbin Seyman Cetinkaya, Mehmet Selim Mamis, Kadem Arslan, Suleyman Bas, Hatice Beyazal Polat, Kamil Konur, Omer Faruk Alakus, Ihsan Solmaz, Gizem Zorlu Gorgulugil, Seyit Uyar, Sabin Goktas Aydin, Alihan Oral, Nurhayat Ozkan Sevencan, Ceren Cevik, Betul Danapinar, Cetin Uyanik, Osman Erinc, Ozgur Yilmaz, Sevtap Bakir Kaliber, Aynur Kamburoglu, Nizameddin Koca
Institutions: Istanbul Medipol University, Kutahya Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Dicle University, Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, Izmir Atatürk Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Siirt Üniversitesi, Sancaktepe Şehit Prof. Dr. İlhan Varank Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Diyarbakır Gazi Yaşargil Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Antalya Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, İstanbul Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Biruni University, Bursa City Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W7154489790