Hyperuricemia is associated with increased hospitalization risk and healthcare costs: Evidence from an administrative database in Italy

Abstract Background and aim Chronic hyperuricemia is responsible for a relevant burden of articular diseases and cardio-nephrometabolic disorders. We evaluated the effect of high serum uric acid (SUA) levels on hospitalization risk and mortality and on healthcare costs in a real-life setting. Methods and results We conducted a retrospective analysis using a large administrative database and a clinical registry among 112,170 subjects from three Italian local health units. Individuals were divided into four groups according to their SUA levels: 6 mg/dL and ≤7 mg/dL (19.3%), >7 mg/dL and ≤8 mg/dL (8.7%), and >8 mg/dL (5.5%). Compared to those with SUA level of