Does decreasing serum uric acid level prevent hypertension? - a nested RCT in cohort study: rationale, methods, and baseline characteristics of study cohort.

Background Previous epidemiologic studies have demonstrated an association between uric acid and hypertension. Our objective was to conduct a prospective cohort study with a nested randomised controlled trial (RCT in cohort) that aims to identify the association of hyperuricemia with the development of hypertension and to examine the efficacy of dietary intervention in lowering uric acid level and prevention of hypertension.