Abstract
Background
Gout is a chronic non-communicable disease that might lead to multiple
systemic complications if it is left untreated. The knowledge and
attitudes among patients towards the diagnosis and management of gout
are important indicators in determining the prognosis and predicting
sequelae of the disease. This cross-sectional survey aimed to assess the
knowledge, perspectives, and attitudes of patients diagnosed with gout
toward the disease pathology, diagnosis, and treatment.
Methodology
An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at university
clinics and local health facilities in central Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Two-hundred thirteen patients diagnosed with gout were selected by
non-random, non-probability convenience sampling and invited to
voluntarily participate in this survey. A structured questionnaire,
which was written in Arabic and pre-tested in a previous pilot study,
was distributed to and collected from the participants between April
2022 and August 2022. The data were entered into an Excel (version 2010)
spreadsheet. Pearson chi- square analysis was used to determine
associations between dependent variables. Statistical significance was
defined as a P-value <0.05.
Results
The study included 109 patients (51.2%) ≥51 years of age with
uncontrolled gout (more than two attacks), 38% of whom were males. The
variation in body mass index was not statistically significant
(P=0.384). The proportions of patients with diabetes mellitus,
hypertension, dyslipidemia, and osteoarthritis were significantly
different between patients with uncontrolled vs. controlled gout
(P=0.041). There were significant differences between patients with
uncontrolled vs. controlled gout in terms of age at diagnosis and the
interval between symptom onset and rheumatologist consultation (P=0.043,
P=0.043, and P=0.027, respectively). There were significant associations
between annually recurring attacks of gout after treatment and (1) the
chief complaints at the time of diagnosis (P=0.022), (2) the gout
medication used after diagnosis
(P=0.012), (3) the types of diagnostic tests undertaken (P=0.042), (4)
the presence or absence of nutritionist consultations for gout-related
advice and treatment (P=0.037), and (5) the presence or absence of a
doctor’s advice regarding the treatment of acute gout attacks (P=0.043).
No significant associations were determined between annual gout
recurrences after treatment and (1) whether patients had discussions
with their doctors about adopting a healthy lifestyle (such as eating
moderate amounts of red meat, legumes, and shrimp to reduce the levels
of uric acid in their blood) (P=0.048) or (2) patients’ satisfaction
with support from family and friends (P=0.032).
Conclusion
Patients were adequately informed about gout and its treatment. Gout
control was significantly associated with patients’ knowledge levels,
patient age, and gout therapy. There were no associations between
patients’ primary complaints and gout status at the time of diagnosis.
Key words: Gout, patient perspectives, knowledge, attitudes