The Association Between Body Mass Index and Uric Acid Levels Among Employees at University of Muhammadiyah Malang General Hospital: Analysis of General Check-up Data, 2023–2024

Background: Hyperuricemia is increasingly recognized as a cardiometabolic risk factor, yet data among Indonesian healthcare workers remain limited. Healthcare workers, particularly those engaged in shift work, are prone to obesity and metabolic disorders that may predispose them to hyperuricemia. Objective: To examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and hyperuricemia among hospital employees. Methods: This analytical observational study, with a cross-sectional design, utilized general check-up data from University of Muhammadiyah Malang Hospital (UMM) (2023–2024). Of 467 employees screened, 67 met the inclusion criteria of complete BMI and serum uric acid data. Hyperuricemia was defined as >7 mg/dL in men and >6 mg/dL in women. Associations between BMI and hyperuricemia were assessed using the chi-square or Fisher’s exact test as an alternative. Results: Among 67 employees (34 males and 33 females), the prevalence of hyperuricemia was 16.4%. It was more common in males (23.5% vs. 9.1% in females) and in employees aged 40–49 years (18.7%). Hyperuricemia prevalence was higher in obese employees (27.8%) compared with non-obese (12.2%), although this association was not statistically significant (p = 0.127). Conclusion: No significant association was found between BMI-defined obesity and hyperuricemia among hospital employees, although a higher prevalence was observed in males, middle-aged groups, and obese individuals. Future occupational health screenings should consider integrating central adiposity indices, such as waist circumference or waist-to-height ratio, to improve the identification of hyperuricemia risk.