Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Assessment of the Gout Patients Residing in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Gout is the most prevailing type of inflammatory arthropathy and its incidence has risen in recent decades. As previously no such research was found through an extensive literature survey, the current study aimed to evaluate gout patients residing in Lahore, Pakistan.

Methods: To conduct this cross-sectional study, n=203 responses were obtained by a simple and objective-oriented questionnaire devised for the collection of data. Dependent variables association was measured by the Pearson Chi-square. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of n=203 responses results had shown that male patients were predominant 127 (62.56%) and most patients were elderly and obese. Respondents were suffering in ignorance for a long time and many of their joints were affected by gout. Outcomes regarding the severity of pain were based on patient experience, including mild (40.39%) moderate (31.52%) and severe (28.07%). In terms of treatment, 101 (49.75%) were on Allopurinol/ febuxostat/ colchicine, 31(15.27%) followed by diet modification. 190 (93.6%) reported that gout treatment puts an extra financial burden on them. Restricted mobility was experienced by 173 (85.2%), 157 (77.3%) patients preferred to visit the rheumatologist for a checkup, and 91 (44.8%) seemed help from the pharmacists.

Conclusion: Gout severely affects both physical and physiological health (p=0.001). The overall burden of gout is substantial and may be increasing with time. The risk rises in all gender with age and factors like obesity while adoption of a healthy lifestyle and some modifications can reduce the issue and underlined pain in joints.

Keywords: Gout; Arthritis; Inflammation; Allopurinol; Hyperuricemia.