The debate over the clinical meaning of plasma uric acid level is still a very hot issue. As the interest in health grows larger in the general public, the number of having a regular health check-up is increasing rapidly. Most of the health care centers routinely check the plasma uric acid level but it is not simple to interpret and explain the appropriate meaning of that. Over the past decade, there have been several studies on clinical implication of plasma uric acid level but the question still remains. However the clinical signifi cance of the results might be different according to the severity of cardiovascular risk among subjects studied, and the fi ndings for correlation with the established risks have enough proof to be applied to clinical practice. Additionally, the uric acid-lowering agents should not be used in general population even though it has reason to be prescribed in a specifi c high risk patient. Thus, this review seeks to be helpful in clinical practice by examining the preexisting related studies in a different perspective.
