Patients with severe gout treated in mixed settings

INTRODUCTION We aimed to investigate whether patients with a definite gout diagnosis who were treated in mixed real-life settings (various hospital departments or general practice) followed treatment recommendations. METHODS We included all patients in the hospital’s uptake area in 2015-2017 who had been diagnosed with gout after microscopy findings of urate crystals. Data regarding comorbidities and indications for urate-lowering therapy (ULT) were collected. The criteria for treatment success were a p-urate level < 6 mg/dl (< 0.36 mmol/l) or < 5 mg/dl (< 0.30 mmol/l) if tophi were present. All patients were followed up for 24 months. RESULTS The study included 100 patients with a median age of 70 years, and 82% of patients were males. An indication for ULT was present in 99 patients and initiated in 79 patients. Fourteen of these 99 patients died within one year. For the remaining 85 patients, p-urate was measured, and the target was reached by 22 (26%) patients, not reached by 33 (39%) patients and not measured in 30 (35%) patients. Treatment success was positively associated with a written treatment plan in the rheumatology record after microscopy, initiation of ULT in the clinic, provision of a gout leaflet, a higher number of outpatient visits and non-smoking status. CONCLUSIONS Many patients with crystal-proven gout did not receive ULT as recommended. Even if ULT was initiated, the p-urate level was monitored infrequently and the dose of ULT was not escalated when necessary. The best outcomes were associated with continued care in a rheumatology clinic.