Resource use and economic impact of patients with gout: a multicenter, population-wide study

To determine the use of resources and economic impact of patients with gout at the population level.

Observational design analysing records belonging to 6 primary care centers and 2 hospitals. We included patients' ≥18 years with an acute episode of gout over the years 2003-2007. Patient follow-up was 2 years. It produced two study groups: patients with 1-2 attacks/acute recurrences and 3 or more events. Main variables were: demographic, co-morbidity, metabolic syndrome (MS), and resource use and health/non-health costs.

logistic regression-model ANCOVA, P<.05.

3,130 patients with gout were included. Prevalence: 3.3%, mean age: 55.8 years male: 81.1%. Groups were distributed as follows: 68.4% had 1-2 acute attacks and 31.6% with 3 or more, P<.001. The prevalence of MS was 28.8% (confidence interval [CI] 95% CI 27.2 to 30.4%). The average/unit cost was € 2,228.6 (direct costs: 96.9%), 90.8% in primary care (visits: 23.5%; drugs: 57.7%). For groups, the average corrected model/unit total cost per patient was € 2,130.6 vs. € 2,605.4, respectively (P<.001). In all cost components, the results were higher in the group with ≥ 3 attacks. The subgroup of diabetic patients (N=641, 20.5%) had a higher cost (€ 3,124.8€ vs. € 1,997.8, P<.001).

Gout is associated with substantial morbidity, presence of MS and resource consumption. The study provides useful data on the cost of the disease; the costs of outpatient follow up is the highest.