Development of acute gouty attack in the morbidly obese population after bariatric surgery

Gout is associated with increased body weight. We evaluated the prevalence of gout and acute gouty attacks in the morbidly obese population who underwent bariatric surgery.

The medical records and operative reports of 1,240 patients who underwent bariatric surgery were reviewed retrospectively for weight parameters, BMI, weight loss, medical history of gout, and onset of acute gouty attacks.

Of the 1,240 patients, 5 (0.4%) had been previously diagnosed with gout. 2 of these 5 had acute attacks during the postoperative period, and responded successfully to intravenous colchicine.

Although rare, gout must be considered a co-morbid illness in obese and morbidly obese patients. Surgeons should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of attacks in the postoperative period, and be knowledgeable in the management.