INTRODUCTION: Hyperuricemia is a cardiovascular disease risk factor that has been poorly researched into in Africa and its prevalence is largely unknown in the rural areas in Nigeria and in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria in particular.METHODS: A cross-sectional rural survey involving 500 subjects aged 15 years and above. Demographic and social data were obtained using a questionnaire. Anthropometric (height, weight, waist circumference) and blood pressure measurements were taken. Blood samples were taken for blood uric acid, glucose and lipid check.RESULTS: The mean age of the study subjects was 41.32±17.0 (males, 42.84±17.8; females, 40.62±16.6) with a range of 15 years to 95 years. The male to female ratio was 1:2.3. The mean serum uric acid was337.58±94.59 mmol/l with a significant higher mean for females (males 333.20±88.70, females 339.56±97.21, p<0.001). Hyperuricemia was found in 86 subject giving a prevalence of 17.2 % with higher prevalence inmales (males 25%, females 13.7%; x2 = 7.75, p= 0.006). Correlational analysis of serum uric acid with other parameters revealed that waist circumference, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and gender hadsignificant association with uric acid. Male gender was found to be a significant predictor for hyperuricaemia following a logistic regression.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hyperuricemia is high in this rural community of study. There is need for more research considering the cardiovascular and otherimplications of hyperuricaemia.KEY WORDS: Hyperuricaemia, prevalence, Rural, Niger Delta, Nigeri
