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Study cites factors for mortality among patients with recent onset of gout
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In a 5-year average observational period, older age, loop diuretic use and ethnicity were associated with an increased risk for death among patients who had gout for fewer than 10 years.
Zoe L. Vincent, PhD, in the Bone and Joint Research Group of the Department of Medicine at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, and colleagues recruited 295 patients from primary and secondary care. Researchers completed clinical assessment at baseline and prospectively followed patients for at least 1 year, with a mean follow-up of 5 years. The researchers collected information on death using primary and secondary health records. They calculated standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and assessed mortality risk factors using Cox proportional hazard regression models.
Researchers found 14.6% of patients died (SMR = 1.96). An increased risk for death was associated with age between 70 years and 80 years (hazard ratio = 9.9), Māori or Pacific ethnicity (hazard ratio = 2.48), loop diuretic use (hazard ratio = 3.99), serum creatinine (per 10 µmol/liter change hazard ratio = 1.04) and the presence of subcutaneous tophi (hazard ratio = 2.85), which investigators found was also the only baseline variable independently associated with both cardiovascular cause of death (hazard ratio = 3.13) and non-cardiovascular cause of death (hazard ratio = 3.48). – by Will Offit
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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