Objective:To analyze the association of serum uric acid(SUA) level with prevalence and the risk of metabolic syndrome(MS) and its components. Methods: A random,multi-stage cross-sectional study was conducted among adults(18~74 years old) in a rural population in Gaoyou,Jiangsu Province. Blood samples were collected for testing blood glucose,lipid profile and SUA and the relationship between SUA and MS was analysed. A total of 4 493 subjects(2 101 men,2 392 women) are enrolled in our study. Results: ①The mean uric acid level was significantly lower in women than men[(338.41 ± 87.99) vs. (255.01 ± 75.08)-滋mol/L, P < 0.01]. Prevalence of MS was elevated with the increasing SUA level. ② SUA level increased significantly with the increaseing number of MS components for both gender. Under a low SUA level,women had higher incidence of MS compared with men. ③ After adjustment of age,smoking status,alcohol consumption and estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),SUA was positively correlated with waist,blood pressure,fasting serum glucose and total triglyceride (TG),and inversely correlated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) while waist and TG had stronger correlation with SUA than other MS components. ④ Logistic analysis showed that SUA was an independent predictor on the risk factor for incidence of MS and its components. The OR(95%CI) value of hyperglycemia for women was higher in all the four quartiles of SUA levels than men. Conclusion: There is a significant association between serum uric acid level and metabolic syndrome,as well as its components. The risk of hyperglycemia predicted by serum uric acid levels is greater in women than men.