Trends in the manifestations of gout in Taiwan

Objective. To elucidate the recent changes in the clinical manifestations, risk factors and disorders associated with gout. Methods. All gouty cases in Ho-Ping Gout Database were divided into two groups according to the date of first visit to our clinic: 1983-1991 (earlier group) and 1992-1999 (later group). Study variables were compared between these two groups. Results. In the later group, the age at onset of gout was lower by 2.7 yr (P < 0.0001) and the percentages of female gout and familial gout were higher (P = 0.0046 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Joint counts and the percentage of frequency of attacks greater than or equal to6 times/yr were lower in the later group (P < 0.0001), while the percentage of tophaceous gout was higher by 0.8% in the later group (P = 0.0004). The percentage of first attack at ankle was higher (P < 0.0001), while those at Achilles tendon, knee and upper extremity were lower in the later group (P < 0.0001). The percentages of diuretic use and alcohol consumption were lower in the later group (P < 0.0001). The percentages of obesity, hypertriglyceridaemia and nephrolithiasis were higher (P < 0.0001), while the percentages of hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia were lower in the later group (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0003, respectively). The percentages of type 2 diabetes mellitus and renal insufficiency were not significantly different in multivariate analyses. Conclusion. The age of onset, clinical manifestations, risk factors and disorders associated with gout have recently changed in Taiwan.