Assessment of genetic polymorphisms associated with hyperuricemia or gout in the Hmong

Aim: Hyperuricemia commonly causes gout. Minnesota Hmong exhibit a two-to five-fold higher prevalence of gout versus non-Hmong. To elucidate a possible genomic contribution to this disparity, prevalence of risk alleles for hyperuricemia in Hmong was compared with European (CEU) and Han-Chinese (CHB). Methods: In total, 235 Hmong were genotyped for eight SNPs representing five candidate genes (SLC22A12, SLC2A9, ABCG2, SLC17A1 and PDZK1). Results: The frequency of seven out of eight risk alleles in the Hmong was significantly different than CEU; six higher and one with lower prevalence. The frequency of three out of eight risk alleles in the Hmong was significantly different than CHB; two higher and one with lower prevalence. Conclusion: Hyperuricemia risk alleles are more prevalent in the Hmong than CEU and CHB.