Evaluation of Serum Uric Levels in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: An Institutional Based Study

Abstract

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancies. The present study was conducted to assess serum uric acid levels in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Materials and Methods: In the present study 80 pathologically diagnosed NPC patients free of distant metastasis were enrolled in this retrospective study. The study included a total of 160 subjects, 80 patients with NPC in the experimental group and 80 patients in control group. Two milliliters of intravenous blood were taken from all participants after an overnight fast. The blood was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 min and separated serum was aspirated into tubes and analyzed for uric acid using the reagent kit and BTS 350 Semi-Auto analyzer. Tabulation of the results was carried out for both groups. For all tests, P values ≤ 0.05 were utilized for statistical significance.Results: The study included a total of 160 subjects, 80 patients with NPC in the experimental group and 80 patients in control group. The mean age among study group was 54.8 years and that of the control group was 53.65 years. In study group 56.25% were males and in control group 52.5% were males. Malees were in predominance. In the study group, out of 80 patients, 37.5% patients had low serum uric acid levels (<3 mg/dl), 56.25patients had normal serum uric acid levels (3–6 mg/dl) and 6.25%patients had high serum uric acid levels (>6 mg/dl). Among 80 subjects in control group, 10% subjects had low serum uric acid levels (<3 mg/dl), 30.0% subjects had normal serum uric acid levels (3–6 mg/dl), and 60% subjects had high serum uric acid levels (>6 mg/dl). The distribution of serum uric acid levels among the study group and the control group showed statistically very high significance (P < 0.001)Conclusion: The present study concluded that serum uric acid was lower in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients compared with healthy volunteers and low serum uric acid was associated with increased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma development.