PLASMA URIC-ACID IN SAUDI ARABS

Objective: This study was designed to determine the level of uric acid in the Saudi population in different parts of the country. Design: Th e study was conducted from 1983 to 1992 in eight areas of Saudi Arabia , in normal healthy Saudi adult males, females and children and in two areas (Khaiber and Jaizan): the study was conducted at two different times (1983 and 1986). Methods: Blood samples were collected in hepari nized tubes and centrifuged to separate the plasma from the cells. The uric acid levels were estimated on an autoanalyser 'Parallel Analytic al System'. The results were fed on computers separately for the adult males and females and children and mean and standard deviation were o btained. Ranges were calculated as mean +/- 2SD and 2.5th to 97.5th pe rcentiles. Results: The overall range for uric acid in the adult males , females and children was 0.263 +/- 0.072mmol/l, 0.228 +/- 0.068 mmol /l and 0.218 +/- 0.068 mmol/l. Differences were recorded in the uric a cid levels in individuals living in different regions of the country w ith the male mean value ranging from 0.257 to 0.345 mmol/l, female mea n value ranging from 0.209 to 0.289 mmol/l and mean value for children ranging from 0.199 to 0.270. In Jaizan the difference in the uric aci d level in 1983 and 1986 was statistically significant in adults and c hildren, while in Khaiber the difference was significant only in the a dult females. Conclusion: The uric acid level differs significantly in different populations. These differences may be a result of interacti on of many factors including genetic make-up and life style. With gene ral improvement in the nutritional status of the populations, the effe ct on the uric acid levels may be dramatic.