Survey Sheds Light on Why Gout Patients May Suffer Despite Effective Treatments

A study published online in the Arthritis Care and Research journal in January is shedding light on why gout, a painful and common form of arthritis, is not well managed in many patients. The journal is published by the American College of Rheumatology (www.rheumatology.org).

Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and at the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System in Omaha found that only 14 percent of gout patients know the numerical treatment goal for the medication they are on. Patients in the study were on allopurinol, which helps keep the disease under control by reducing painful flare-ups and maintaining a certain level of uric acid in the body.

The study evaluated 612 questionnaires from patients at the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System in Omaha. Questions to patients sought to determine their knowledge about gout and if they knew what their numerical goal was.

Gout, which results from a build-up of uric acid in the body, causes an intense inflammation that affects the big toe, ankles, feet, knees and many other joints. It’s estimated that it affects about 4 percent of Americans and about 10 percent of men over age 60. It’s more common in women after menopause.

When long-term treatment is needed to avoid future attacks, typical treatment starts with low doses of drugs such as allopurinol and checking uric acid levels before changing doses as needed to reach and maintain the target uric acid level. Researchers hope the study will stimulate conversation between physicians and patients to improve the quality of care of gout patients.

Brian Coburn, first author of the paper and a UNMC student enrolled in his fifth year of the UNMC M.D., Ph.D., program, said the study was insightful in his training as a future physician-scientist.

To see the article, go to: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acr.22785/abstract.