Gout in Dalarna, Sweden - a population-based study of gout occurrence and compliance to treatment guidelines

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of rheumatology 2023-09, Vol.ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), p.1-8
• Main Authors: Sigurdardottir, V, Svärd, A, Jacobsson, LTH, Dehlin, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adherence; care; management; Reumatologi och inflammation; Rheumatology; Rheumatology and Autoimmunity
• ISSN: 0300-9742; 1502-7732; 1502-7732
• DOI: 10.1080/03009742.2022.2132055

This study aimed to describe the incidence and prevalence of gout, describe the use of allopurinol among prevalent gout cases, and determine persistence with allopurinol and degree of compliance with treat-to-target recommendations before and after the publication of Swedish national guidelines in 2016. Prospectively registered data on gout diagnoses and allopurinol prescriptions were used to calculate incidence and prevalence, and the proportion of prevalent patients on allopurinol. Gout patients starting allopurinol during 2013-2015 versus 2016-2018 were compared regarding persistence and compliance with treat-to-target principles. The incidence of gout was 221-247 per 100 000 person-years during 2014-2019, prevalence in 2018 was 2.45%. Among prevalent cases, the proportion on allopurinol ranged from 21% to 25%. Allopurinol persistence was better for individuals starting therapy during 2016-2018 compared with 2013-2015 (45% vs 39%, p = 0.031), as were several outcomes related to treat-to-target principles, e.g. measuring baseline serum urate (SU) (84% vs 77%, p