16 Jan Gout: Rising Prevalence and Incidence

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Weiya Zhang, BPH, MEpi, PhD
Associate Professor & Reader
Division of Rheumatology, Orthopaedics and Dermatology
The University of Nottingham
Clinical Sciences Building City Hospital
Nottingham NG5 1PB

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?

Dr. Zhang: We found the prevalence and incidence of gout keep rising from 1997 to 2012, but the management (percentage of patients treated with the recommended effective drugs) remains poor.

MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected?

Dr. Zhang: it is unexpected that the management of gout remains constantly poor (only a third receive proper treatment) irrespective of all national and international treatment guidelines published in the past decade.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Zhang: Gout is the prevalent condition affecting 1 in 40 people in the UK population.  The prevalence increased rapidly (4% per year) from 1997 to 2012.  It is one of a few medical conditions which have effective treatment, but unfortunately it has been poorly managed.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Zhang: Research in the identification of the factors related to the poor management of gout and how to improve it would be very useful.

Citation:

Rising burden of gout in the UK but continuing suboptimal management: a nationwide population study

Kuo C-F, Grainge MJ, Mallen C, et al
Ann Rheum Dis Published Online First: 1/15/2013
doi:10.1136/annrheumdis- 2013-204463

Last Updated on January 16, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD