Uric Acid Metabolism in Proliferative Diseases of the Marrow

Abstract

An elevation in the level of the serum uric acid and an increased renal excretion of uric acid frequently occur in certain blood dyscrasias such as leukemia, polycythemia vera, myeloid metaplasia, and multiple myeloma. Radioactive isotopic studies have demonstrated that there is increased production of uric acid in some of these disorders. Gout occasionally develops in these diseases, presumably as a result of the altered uric acid metabolism. This study was undertaken to delineate the clinical features of these disorders relating to the development of hyperuricemia, acute gouty arthritis, and uric acid nephropathy. The medical records of 186 patients with these blood dyscrasias, upon whom serum uric acid determinations were performed, have been reviewed. Ten cases of gouty arthritis and 3 cases of uric acid nephropathy from this group were noted. I. Hyperuricemia in Leukemia, Myeloid Metaplasia, Polycythemia Vera, and Multiple Myeloma A. Method of Determination of the Serum Uric