Effect of diuretic medication and coffee consumption on serum uric acid levels: A review of literature

Various factors like diet, medications, beverages, and congenital conditions have shown to have their effect on uric acid levels. Hyperuricemia (serum uric acid level > 6.8mg/dL) is detrimental to health and is an independent risk factor for all cause cardiovascular mortality and ischemic stroke mortality. It is one of the best independent predictors for chronic diseases like obesity, hypertension and diabetes. Hyperuricemia causes inflammatory arthritis also known as gout. In this review, the authors have focused on the iatrogenic cause of hyperuricemia, particularly diuretic medications. The mechanism of action of these medications and the key interactions at cellular and receptor levels, which are responsible for hyperuricemia, were reviewed. In various studies, coffee consumption have shown to facilitate urate excretion and thus lower the risk of gout. This study has reviewed various studies detailing the lowered risk of gout with coffee consumption and have reviewed the possible mechanisms involved in inverse association between coffee consumption and risk of developing gout.