The challenge of gout flare measurement

Gout flares are central to the patient experience of gout and are included in the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) core outcome domain set for long-term gout studies. Although a valid definition for gout flare has been developed, there is no consensus around how flare outcomes are measured and reported in long-term clinical studies. Current methods of flare measurement, which are centered on measuring flares as a binary outcome (i.e., present vs absent), do not reflect the variable pattern of flares over time, nor the multidimensional patient experience of gout flares which include factors related to pain severity, functional disability, impact on family and social life, and psychological wellbeing. This review will discuss the importance and challenges of gout flare measurement.