Achieving serum urate targets in gout: an audit in a gout-oriented rheumatology practice

To assess the proportion of patients with gout who achieve target serum urate levels, the drug regime required and the reasons for failing to do so.

We reviewed the files of all patients with gout who presented to a gout-oriented rheumatology practice between January 2010 and September 2014.

Two hundred and thirty patients agreed to commence urate lowering therapy (ULT); 73% achieved their urate target, including 74% with non-tophaceous gout (target ≤ 0.36 mmol/L) and 71% with tophi (target ≤ 0.30 mmol/L). Of the 62 who failed to reach target, in 61 it was due to non-adherence and in one due to inefficacy.

Adherence remains the major challenge to successful long-term gout management.