Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2025
Author Spotlight: Investigating the Key Factors of Obliterative Bronchiolitis After Lung Transplantation
Published on: November 10, 2023
Meta-analysis and systematic review of gout prevalence in the heart/lung transplantation population
Benedict Chui1, Richard Day1,2, Eshwar Umashankar1
1Faculty of Medicine and Health, St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Introduction:
Gout may complicate solid organ transplantation with potentially serious consequences. An accurate prevalence of gout in this population is unknown.
Objectives:
This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of gout in the heart and/or lung transplantation population through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods:
MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CENTRAL and Cochrane Library (inception to February 2022) were searched for studies that reported the prevalence and/or incidence of gout in heart and/or lung transplant recipients. Two authors extracted outcomes data. Data were pooled using a random effects model. Overall quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE. Primary outcomes were the prevalence of pre- or post-transplant gout expressed as a prevalence rate (95% CI). Secondary outcomes included risk factors for gout, adverse events, and therapeutic complications of gout treatment.
Results:
Ten studies were included. Gout prevalence (PR) was 8% pre-transplant (PR = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.05-0.12; 4 studies n = 651) and 6% post-transplant (PR = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.06-0.06; 10 studies n = 45,298). Post-transplant gout prevalence in heart transplant recipients was almost three times higher than lung transplant recipients (PR = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.13-0.20 vs. PR = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.05-0.06 respectively). Patients with a pre-transplant history of gout had a higher risk of developing post-transplant gout than patients without (RR = 3.61; 95% CI: 2.19-5.95). Factors associated with gout and outcomes for heart and/or lung transplant recipients with gout were comprehensively reviewed from the included studies.
Conclusion:
Gout is highly prevalent in heart and/or lung transplant patients. Pre-transplant gout is predictive of developing symptomatic post-transplant gout. This has significant implications for management of heart/lung transplant patients.
Systematic Review Registration:
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/, PROSPERO (CRD42020190632).
