Aim:

It has been proposed that elevated levels of uric acid (UA) has a protective effect against the development of Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease (IPD), however, since IPD has been found to be more common in gout patients, their relationship became controversial. Our aim was to investigate the relationship of UA level and UA-to-creatinine ratio (UCR) with IPD stages and their effects on disease severity.

Methods:

Patients were grouped as early stage (ES) (Hoehn-Yahr (HY); 1-2), middle stage (MS) (HY; 2.5-3) and advanced stage (AS) (HY; 4-5). UA levels and UCR were compared between the groups. After age and L-dopa dose were corrected, differences between the groups were recalculated.

Results:

There were 39 ES, 33 MS, 28 AS patients. The mean UA level was 4.9±1.26 in ES, 5.02±1.22 in MS and 5.1±1.64 in AS (p=0.85). The mean UCR was 5.91±1.78 in ES, 6.03±1.66 in MS and 5.72±1.73 in AS (p=0.79). When corrected age was 67.42, there was no difference in UA (p=0.93), creatinine (p=0.92) and UCR (p=0.91). When corrected L-Dopa dose was 561.18, there was no difference in UA (p=0.99), creatinine (p=0.51) and UCR (p=0.21). When age and L-Dopa were corrected, there was no difference in UA (p=0.96), creatinine (p=0.82) and UCR (p=0.21).

Conclusion:

Despite corrected age and L-Dopa dose, UA and UCR did not differ between the stages. UA and UCR used as biomarkers of disease severity may not always yield accurate results.

Keywords: Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease, uric acid, creatinine, Hoehn Yahr