Author’s Reply: Controlling uric acid as a means to control cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and lipids

We are pleased with the interest of Yiğiner et al. in our observational and pilot study looking at the effects of allopurinol on markers of the metabolic syndrome, specifically lipids. Most end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients have a comorbid condition of hyperuricemia (1) with some patients presenting with clinical gout as well. Also, we believe uric acid may be another marker of the metabolic syndrome (2) that could possibly be treated in patients who exhibit other comorbid conditions of the metabolic syndrome (central obesity, glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension). We are in agreement with Yiğiner et al. that these other comorbid conditions are contributing and possibly responsible for cardiovascular events (3). Novel treatments may be necessary for improvement in cardiovascular disease (CVD) profiles in such patients.