How is gout managed in primary care? A review of current practice and proposed guidelines.
Twelve practices with a total list of 74,111 patients were audited; 429 patients were identified with a diagnosis of gout. A wide variation in various clinical and laboratory assessments was detected. Similar variations were also noted regarding dietary advice and medical treatment. Monitoring of patients was infrequent. As a result of this audit, guidelines are proposed to improve the diagnosis and management of gout in the community.
Pal
B
B
Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Audit, Withington Hospital, Didsbury, Manchester, UK. bpal@fsl.with.man.ac.uk
Foxall
M
M
Dysart
T
T
Carey
F
F
Whittaker
M
M
D000493:Allopurinol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006073:Gout / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D006074:Gout Suppressants; D000493:Allopurinol