Prevalence of Hyperuricemia Among T2DM Patients in Pakistan: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Hyperuricemia is increasingly recognized as a metabolic dysfunction associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications. In Pakistan, the incidence of both conditions is rising, yet national data on their co-existence remain limited. Objective: To systematically review the prevalence of hyperuricemia among patients with T2DM in Pakistan. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis included nine observational studies conducted in Pakistan from 2014 to 2024. A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct using keywords related to hyperuricemia, type 2 diabetes, serum uric acid, and Pakistan. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, focusing on hospital-based, cross-sectional, or retrospective designs. Extracted data included study characteristics, diagnostic criteria, and reported prevalence of hyperuricemia. Results: From 6,110 records initially identified, 9 studies with a combined total of 1,765 T2DM patients were included. The pooled prevalence of hyperuricemia among these patients was 21.4% (95% CI: 12.9%–31.3%) based on a random-effects model, with prevalence estimates across studies ranging from 6% to 47%. Substantial heterogeneity was observed (I² = 95.37%, p < 0.0001), while no significant publication bias was detected. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of hyperuricemia among T2DM patients in Pakistan is substantial, but the high degree of heterogeneity suggests these results should be interpreted with caution. Contextual factors such as population characteristics, diagnostic criteria, and comorbidities may significantly influence prevalence estimates.