Abstract
BackgroundAlthough commonly diagnosed, gout often remains a poorly managed disease. This is partially due to a lack of awareness of the long-term effect of gout among patients and healthcare professionals.AimTo understand unmet needs for patients and provide insight into achieving better treatment.Design & settingA quantitative online questionnaire collected from 1100 people with gout from 14 countries within Europe.MethodPatients were recruited to complete an online survey via healthcare professional (HCP) referral, patient associations, or market research panels. Patients were included if they had been diagnosed with gout by a physician. Prior to commencement, patients were made aware that this study was sponsored by Grünenthal. The responses collected were collated and analyses were performed.ResultsPatients had an average of 2.9 gout flares within a 12-month period. Although 79% of patients were satisfied with treatment, inadequate gout control was also reported by 71% of patients. Furthermore, 84% experienced moderate-to-severe pain with their most recent flare. Of those who acknowledged treatment dissatisfaction, only 24% discussed other options with their GP. Most patients reported irregular follow-up and serum uric acid (sUA) monitoring. In addition, loss of belief that more can be done was a key barrier for patients.ConclusionPatients reported severe pain and social burden, coupled with low treatment expectation and lack of awareness of target sUA. Education around knowing and reaching sUA target is needed so that patients can receive and GPs can deliver higher quality management.
Highlights
Gout is a potentially debilitating and common genetic metabolic disease.[1,2,3] If not well treated, this chronic disease has a similar potential for functional and social impairment as other inflammatory arthritic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis.[2]
Between 13 June and 30 September 2018, patients completed a 15-m inute online survey, which was available in multiple languages
Gout was moderate in severity, with an average of 2.9 flares experienced in the last 12-m onth period
Summary
Gout is a potentially debilitating and common genetic metabolic disease.[1,2,3] If not well treated, this chronic disease has a similar potential for functional and social impairment as other inflammatory arthritic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis.[2]. The chronic metabolic nature of gout is poorly addressed by acute treatment, as patients are generally advised to manage flares through lifestyle modifications prior to pharmacological management.[2,5] the potential seriousness of gout is misunderstood by patients due to an absence of education on the underlying pathophysiology of the disease.[2] A primary reason that gout is misunderstood may be due to a previous period defined by limited research and a relatively quiescent treatment landscape. Gout often remains a poorly managed disease. This is partially due to a lack of awareness of the long-term effect of gout among patients and healthcare professionals. 84% experienced moderate-to-severe pain with their most recent flare Of those who acknowledged treatment dissatisfaction, only 24% discussed other options with their GP. Conclusion: Patients reported severe pain and social burden, coupled with low treatment expectation and lack of awareness of target sUA. Education around knowing and reaching sUA target is needed so that patients can receive and GPs can deliver higher quality management
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