[A questionnaire survey for gout management in physicians in Beijing]

Objective: To provide helpful continued medical education (CME) for physicians and improve gout treatment, we conducted a questionnaire survey to investigate physicians' knowledge in nine districts of Beijing. Methods: A questionnaire survey including ten gout-related questions was conducted among 298 physicians in Beijing. Demographic data and previous gout CME experience were collected. Chi-square test or Student's t test, univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the relevant factors of physicians' knowledge level. Results: A total of 250 valid copies were collected including 127 from community service centers (CSC), 123 from tertiary hospitals. The correct answer rate of gout etiology, pathogenesis and attack symptoms were over 70% in both groups. 45.5% (56/123) CSC doctors and 57.4% (66/115) tertiary doctors answered right drugs to control acute gout attack (P=0.067). Only 42.3% (52/123) in CSC and 53.4% (63/118) in hospitals chose allopurinol as a urate-lowering drug (ULT), while 46.3% (57/123) and 32.2% (38/118) doctors considered colchicine as a ULT drug (P=0.084) respectively. Near half doctors considered that gout patients should take long-term ULT [40.5% (51/126) vs. 57.6%(68/118)respectively, P=0.007]. Univariate analysis showed that CME training could improve gout-related knowledge in CRC doctors. Conclusion: Most CSC doctors generally understand basic knowledge of gout, while confusion of treatment is still significant. CME especially including standard gout treatment should be performed by doctors in tertiary hospitals.