A case-control study of determinants for the occurrence of gouty arthritis in heart failure patients.
OBJECTIVE
Gouty arthritis is a frequent and disabling complication in heart failure patients. This study aimed to investigate which factors are associated with the occurrence of gouty arthritis in these patients.


RESULTS
A case-control study was performed in heart failure patients (February 2007 to October 2009). Cases were defined as patients with gouty arthritis. Factors that are possibly associated with gouty arthritis and/or heart failure were evaluated. Echocardiographic dimensions and laboratory values including glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and fractional excretion of uric acid (FEUA) were measured. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for possibly associated factors. In total, 188 patients (59 with gouty arthritis) were included. Spironolactone use was associated with a decreased occurrence of gouty arthritis (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.13-0.77). Independently associated with an increased occurrence of gouty arthritis were hypertensive heart failure (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.6-8.2), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.8-11.0), lower GFR (P < 0.001), and FEUA <4% (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.4-7.9). Among the four age/gender groups, the strongest association with gouty arthritis was found in men <65 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Our identification of factors that are associated with the occurrence of gouty arthritis makes it possible to develop strategies to improve further the quality of life in heart failure patients. The possible decreased occurrence of gouty arthritis in spironolactone users has to be confirmed in prospective studies.
Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate, 6883 AZ Velp, The Netherlands.
Berdine A A
BA
Hueskes
Frank F
FF
Willems
Aukelien C
AC
Leen
Patricia A
PA
Ninaber
Richard
R
Westra
Aukje K
AK
Mantel-Teeuwisse
Hein J E M
HJ
Janssens
Eloy H
EH
van de Lisdonk
Elisabeth A
EA
Roovers
Matthijs
M
Janssen
D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015210:Arthritis, Gouty / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D049994:Sodium Potassium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; D049994:Sodium Potassium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D013148:Spironolactone