Relationship of medication adherence,serum uric acid level and diet to recurrent attacks of gout

Aim of the workTo evaluate the relationship between medication adherence, serum uric acid (SUA) levels, and diet, with recurrent gout attacks.Patients and methodsThis study included 89 patients being followed up for gouty arthritis. A self-administered, structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data, gout attacks frequency, history of acute intake of purine rich foods prior to the gouty attack, and adherence to urate-lowering therapies (ULT).Results89 patients were studied, 84 males and 5 females with a mean age of 55.4 ± 13.7 years, disease duration 12.22 ± 9.2 years and body mass index 24.67 ± 5.01. 71.9% were Malays, 20.2% Chinese, 6.7% Indians and 1.1% others. 61.8% had at least one episode of gout flare in the past 6 months. Of the 86 taking ULT, 65 (75.6%) were adherent. There was no difference in clinical characteristics between those who had high versus low adherence. High adherence to ULT was not associated with lower SUA or not having recurrent gout attacks. Having a high SUA level [OR = 2.86 (95%CI:1.52–5.39)], acute intake of purine-rich foods [OR = 2.01 (95%CI:1.09–3.73)] and obesity [OR = 1.58 (95%CI:1.09–2.32)] were significantly associated with recurrent gout attacks.ConclusionsAlthough three-quarters of patients were adherent to their ULT, it was not associated with a reduction in recurrent gout attacks or lower SUA levels. Recurrent gout attacks were associated with a high SUA and an acute intake of purine-rich foods. To reduce the burden of recurrent gout attacks, ULT may need to be intensified even in adherent patients, as well as avoiding dietary indiscretions.