Chronic kidney disease is a leading cause of death and morbidity in about 50% of adults living with sickle cell disease, the most common inherited blood disorder. Previous studies have suggested that problems with kidney function in this patient population could be due to an increased concentration of uric acid, an antioxidant that the kidneys filter from the blood and excrete in urine. Until now, however, there’s been a lack of sufficient data to better understand the association between uric acid and kidney function.

This study sought to explore whether an increase in uric acid concentrations is a cause or effect of kidney disease in sickle cell disease, and if it may even be protective. The study sourced 638 individuals with sickle cell disease from the ASH RC Data Hub. The patients had a mean uric acid level of 6.3 mg/dl, and modeling found a statistically significant protective uric acid range of 5 – 7 mg/dl, as well as an association between uric acid levels below 4 mg/dl and above 9 mg/dl with worsening kidney filtration.

The study highlights the utility of the ASH RC Data Hub in conducting research on sickle cell disease. Although the findings remain early, they warrant additional study.

1173: Uric Acid – a Potent Antioxidant with Protective and Toxic Effects on Renal Function