Uncontrolled Gout Can Impact Everyday Lives
The debilitating effects of uncontrolled gout may go beyond the painful flares and impairment of joint and limb function. It can affect a patient’s life, including their social function, work, mobility, and independence.1-4
The Burden of Living With Uncontrolled Gout
In one study, ≥90% of patients with uncontrolled gout had trouble completing chores, walking, or sleeping.4*
100%
Reported difficulty climbing a flight of stairs
95%
revealed difficulty completing chores, emotional impacts, difficulty running errands, and impaired walking
90%
reported impact on sleep due to uncontrolled gout
*A targeted literature review and qualitative participant concept elicitation interviews (~90 minutes duration) were conducted in July 2021 and used to develop a conceptual model for symptoms and impacts of uncontrolled gout. Participants were US-based, and aged ≥18 years with a history of symptomatic gout and uncontrolled gout (n=20).4
Flares in Patients With Uncontrolled Gout Can Impact Work Days and Social Activities
Among patients with uncontrolled gout reporting ≥1 flare per year3:
†A 1-year prospective, observational study was conducted among patients with symptomatic disease in the US in 2001 (N=110). Inclusion criteria required patients (1) aged ≥18 years, (2) to have documented, crystal-proven gout, (3) to have symptomatic gout, and (4) to be intolerant or unresponsive to conventional therapy (sUA ≥6.0 mg/dL).3
‡The study did not specifically collect employment information, so retirement age (65 years) was used as a proxy.3
§Data represents mean.3
||Data represents average overall, including patients with no days lost.3
Increased Healthcare Costs in Uncontrolled Gout
Compared to those with controlled gout, patients with uncontrolled gout can have a larger impact on the healthcare system with more frequent visits to healthcare providers, increased emergency room usage, greater hospital admission rates, and higher overall healthcare expenses.5-7
Compared to controlled gout, patients with uncontrolled gout utilize more healthcare services5-7
36.5%
more total
medical visits¶
158%
more emergency
department visits#
76%
more hospitalizations#
Patients with uncontrolled gout have a significant economic burden compared with a gout-free population7:
An incremental total annual healthcare cost of
$10,222**
40%
of the annual medical cost
was for gout-related care**
¶Data from adult patients with gout who had at least 90 days of continuous urate-lowering therapy (ULT) was collected from the Humana Research Database from 2007–2016. A total of 6831 patients were identified that met the inclusion criteria (5473 patients with controlled gout and 1358 patients with uncontrolled gout). Uncontrolled gout was defined as sUA ≥8.0 mg/dL.6
#Based on data derived from the 2012 and 2013 US National Health and Wellness Survey (2012, n=71,157; 2013, n=75,000). Respondents were categorized based on self-reported gout diagnosis and gout symptoms: controlled gout (sUA ≤6 mg/dL and no flares in the past year; n=344); uncontrolled gout: (sUA >6 mg/dL or at least 1 flare in the past year; n=2215). Respondents were asked how frequently they had visited various forms of healthcare institutions in the previous 6 months.5
**A retrospective, matched cohort study to describe and compare 1-year (1) comorbidity burden, (2) healthcare resource utilization, and (3) healthcare costs, between subjects refractory to treatment with a xanthine oxidase inhibitor (N=679) and subjects without gout (N=679). Data extracted from Thomson MarketScan databases (2003-2008).7
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The information provided on this website is intended for healthcare professionals (HCPs) for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the independent clinical judgment of HCPs in diagnosing or treating individual patients.
References
1. Dalbeth N, et al. Lancet. 2021;397(10287):1843-1855. 2. Dalbeth N, et al. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2019;5(1):69. 3. Edwards NL. Arthritis Rheum. 2008;58(9):2587-2590. 4. Strand V, et al. Rheumatol Ther. 2024;11(5):1271-1290. 5. Flores NM, et al. J Med Econ. 2019;22(1):1-6. 6. Francis-Sedlak M, et al. Rheumatol Ther. 2021;8(1):183-197. 7. Wu EQ, et al. Am J Ther. 2012;19(6):e157-e166.