title: Management of gout in the real world: current practice versus guideline recommendations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gout is a chronic, extremely painful disease that is potentially curable when treated effectively. Unfortunately approximately one-half of patients with gout are inadequately controlled.
  
  
  METHODS
  We surveyed 315 primary care physicians in the United States and Europe to investigate current practice in the real world, as distinct from recommendations in guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our survey on 1657 patients found that regular testing of serum uric acid, in conformity with the guidelines, was conducted by approximately 50% of physicians. Advice to patients on diet and lifestyle was less well implemented, and identification of overweight/obese patients was inconsistent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improvements in practice by physicians would include comprehensive assessment of the patient, adoption of regular monitoring during treatment, and the provision of patient education on adherence and lifestyle.
authors.affiliation: a Collegeville Family Practice , Ursinus College , Collegeville , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Paul P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Doghramji
authors.affiliation: b Adelphi Real World , Cheshire , UK.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fermer
authors.affiliation: c Health Economics and Statistics , Adelphi Real World , Cheshire , UK.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.affiliation: d Health Economics and Outcomes Research , Ardea Biosciences, Inc ., San Diego , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morlock
authors.affiliation: e Medical Affairs , Ardea Biosciences, Inc ., San Diego , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baumgartner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006073:Gout / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015438:Health Behavior; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D014481:United States; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006074:Gout Suppressants; D014527:Uric Acid
keywords: Gout; clinical inertia; diet; lifestyle; urate-lowering therapy