Objective To investigate the effect of uric acid lowering therapy on content of endothelial microparticles (EMPs) in peripheral blood and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with gout complicated with coronary heart disease.
Methods A total of 137 patients with gout complicated with coronary heart disease were selected as research objects, and all the patients had hyperuricemia. After 3 months of treatment with febuxostat, the patients were divided into qualified group (n=70) and non-qualified group (n=67) according to qualified condition of uric acid. The content of EMPs before and after treatment and the incidence of MACE within one year of uric acid lowering therapy were compared between the two groups.
Results After treatment, the content of EMPs in both groups decreased significantly (P < 0.05); the content of EMPs after treatment in the qualified group was (1.64±0.48) %, which was significantly lower than (1.97±0.47) % in the non-qualified group (P < 0.05). The decreased level of EMPs was positively correlated with the decreased level of uric acid (r=0.374, P < 0.05). The incidence of MACE in the qualified group was 15.71% within one year of uric acid lowering therapy, which was significantly lower than 31.34% in the non-qualified group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion Qualified uric acid lowering therapy can significantly improve the vascular endothelial function of gout patients complicated with coronary heart disease, and reduce the incidence of MACE.