Influence of Serum Uric Acid on Macular Choroidal Thickness and Ganglion Cell Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of serum uric acid (UA) on macular choroidal and ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness. This cross-sectional study enrolled adult individuals in communities in Guangzhou, China. All participants underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination. They were divided into four groups according to UA quartiles. The choroidal and GC-IPL thickness was measured by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). A total of 719 subjects (1389 eyes) were included in the study. The average UA was 348.50 ± 86.16 mmol/L. The average choroidal and GC-IPL thickness decreased with UA quartiles (P < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that UA was negatively associated with average choroidal (β = -0.073, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.117 to -0.028, P = 0.001) and GC-IPL thickness (β = -0.006, 95% CI = -0.009 to -0.002, P = 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, the average choroidal thickness was decreased in quartile 4 as compared with quartile 1 by -14.737 µm (95% CI = -24.460 to -5.015, P = 0.003). The average GC-IPL thickness was decreased in quartile 4 versus quartile 1 by -1.028 (95% CI = -1.873 to -0.290, P = 0.007). Higher UA levels were independently associated with macular choroid and GC-IPL thinning. These contribute to a better understanding of ocular pathological mechanisms. The associated UA with choroidal and GC-IPL thickness helps to understand the ocular pathological and retinal neurodegenerative mechanism.