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Gout attack more than twice as likely to occur at night
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Patients with gout were shown to be 2.4 times more likely to have a gout flare-up at night or in the early morning than in the daytime, according to study findings.
Researchers conducted a case-crossover study in which 724 gout patients with a total of 1,433 gout flare episodes reported were recruited prospectively and followed-up via the internet for 1 year. The researchers collected data from the patients about the timing of the onset of a gout flare-up, the location of the flare-up, and symptoms and risk factors during the previous 24 to 48 hours preceding the attack. They calculated the odds ratio for gout attacks according to three 8-hour time intervals throughout the day (00:00 – 07:59; 08:00 – 15:59; 16:00 – 23:59) using conditional logistic regression.
The researchers found 733 attacks occurred during the first (overnight) period compared with 310 episodes in the second time period and 390 in the third. The risk of gout was shown to be 2.36 higher and 1.26 times higher in the overnight and evening intervals, respectively, than in the daytime. No change was seen when adjusting for alcohol use or in those with the lowest intake of purines prior to the episode, according to the researchers.
Intake of allopurinol, colchicine and NSAIDs, as well as age, sex, age or obesity status, did not affect the results. Similar results were seen when analyzing the first flare-up only.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.
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