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Bariatric surgery associated with reduced gout in obese patients
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Bariatric surgery was associated with a reduced incidence of gout and hyperuricemia in patients who were obese, according to study findings.
For management of gout in patients who are obese, the American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism recommend weight loss. Bariatric surgery benefits include weight loss and a lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. In a previous study, researchers showed bariatric surgery reduced serum acid levels for up to 10 years.
As part of the Swedish Obese Subjects cohort study, researchers assessed the effects of bariatric surgery on the incidence of gout and hyperuricemia in participants who were obese. The cohort included 1,982 participants who underwent bariatric surgery and 1,999 controls. No participant had gout at baseline, and the median follow-up for incidence of gout was 19 years for both groups. The researchers assessed hyperuricemia incidence up to 20 years in a subgroup of participants with a baseline uric acid level less than 6.8 mg/dL.
Compared with typical care, bariatric surgery was associated with a reduced incidence of gout (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.60), which remained significant after adjusting for BMI. After 15 years, the difference in absolute risk between groups was 3%. The number of participants needed to be treated by bariatric surgery in order to prevent one incident of gout was 32. Bariatric surgery was also associated with a reduced incidence of hyperuricemia (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.47).
After 15 years, the difference in absolute risk between groups was 12 percentage points. The number of participants needed to be treated by bariatric surgery in order to prevent one incident of hyperuricemia was eight.
Based on their findings, the researchers concluded bariatric surgery prevents both gout and hyperuricemia in patients who are obese. – by Will Offit
References: One researcher reported relationships with AstraZeneca, MSD and Johnson & Johnson. Please see the full study for a list of all other researchers’ relevant financial disclosures.
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