Beliefs and knowledge of gout management among new medical graduates of Qassim University

Abstract

Background: The worldwide prevalence of gout has been increasing particularly in developed countries, and it is associated with a higher mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to determine the quality of college academic teaching regarding gout management by evaluating the beliefs and awareness of gout management steps among new medical graduates at Qassim University. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to observe the beliefs and knowledge about gout management through an electronic questionnaire. The survey was distributed randomly by electronic questionnaire to 134 new graduate medical students of Qassim University. Results: About 80.6% of the participants believed that gout is a serious disease. Regarding acute management, around 42.5% recommended adding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids in an acute gout attack to hasten recovery, while in chronic management, more than two-thirds (67.9%) answered they would initiate uric acid-lowering therapy after the acute attack. Conclusion: Knowledge about management of gout, especially chronic, among graduate medical student is an area of concern due to the unawareness of the current standards of care.