Patients with gout who received a consultation with a clinical nurse specialist reported high overall satisfaction, according to a study published in Reumatología Clínica. Investigators distributed surveys for the cross-sectional, observational study, which aimed to examine factors that impact perceived quality of life and satisfaction among patients with gout, between August 2019 and January 2020. Most of the 71 completed surveys came from men older than 45. More than one-half of patients (55%) reported being “very satisfied” with the care they received, and another 39% reported being “satisfied” with their care. All participants were satisfied with the face-to-face consultation with the clinical nurse specialist; 66% ranked the telephone consultation with the nurse as “good.” The study team also identified areas for improvement, including referral time to consultation, identification, and availability of health providers. “Understanding and systematizing the patients’ opinion is essential to improve clinical care,” the authors wrote.
OSA Linked With Increased Likelihood of Gout
Confirmed cases of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), as well as suspected cases, correlated with a greater likelihood of gout, according to a study published in BMC Rheumatology. Researchers assessed self-reported, doctor-diagnosed OSA, insomnia, and patient-reported sleep outcomes among adults in a cross-sectional online survey to examine the link between gout and sleep outcomes. Potential undiagnosed OSA was estimated with self-reports of frequent, loud snoring and observed apnea; patients self-reported physician diagnoses of gout and other health conditions. Among 1,948 participants, 6.5% had gout and 6.4% had diagnosed sleep apnea. After adjustments for age, BMI, sex, alcohol intake, and arthritis, individuals with diagnosed OSA were twice as likely to report having gout compared with those who did not have OSA (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.5-4.6). Participants with symptoms that indicated sleep apnea were twice as likely to have gout versus those without these symptoms (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.6-5.1). The study team also reported a higher likelihood of restless legs syndrome, insomnia, and worry about sleep in patients with gout.
