Association of urate deposition shown by ultrasound and frequent gout attacks

Abstract

There are few data demonstrating the association between urate burden assessed by ultrasound (US) and gout flares. The aim of this study was to determine the association of urate deposition shown by US and frequent gout attacks. Patients with gout were divided into two groups according to the frequency of gout attacks in the previous 12months: frequent (>2attacks) and infrequent (0-2attacks). Urate deposition in the hands, knees, and feet was assessed by US. Overall, 106 patients were enrolled in this study, of whom 32 (30.1%) had had frequent gout attacks (>2attacks) in the previous 12months (the average number of gout attacks was4.7, range 3-12). Those with frequent gout attacks had significantly longer gout duration, ahigher serum urate level, and more urate deposition shown by US than those with infrequent gout attacks (P < 0.05). In both univariate and logistic regression analyses, frequent gout attacks were correlated with gout duration, serum urate level, and urate deposition as shown by US (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that urate deposition shown by US is independently associated with frequent gout attacks. Special attention should be given to the prevention of flares in patients with an initially high urate burden as assessed by US.