Public Knowledge and Awareness about Gout: A Cross-sectional Study in Qatar

Background: The prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout had shown an increasing trend all over the world including in developing countries. The patients may receive very little education on the dietary and lifestyle factors associated with gout.

Objective of the Study: Assess knowledge and awareness about gout disease and determine prevalence of gout in Qatar.

Methodology: A prospective cross-sectional study had been done on Qatari people in the period from December 2016 to March 2017. The Inclusion criteria were selected to be (i) Qatari (ii) older than sixteen years (iii) living in Qatar and (iv) agree to answer the questionnaire after mentioning the main objective of it. The data was collected from 447 Qatari by using a self-administered online questionnaire in Arabic language specially designed for the research purpose. All data were entered to the computer program MS EXCEL 2007 and frequency, percentage calculated for all the items in the questionnaire with representation for the answers by either pie chart or bar chart.

Results: Among the 447 subjects 52% were males, 62% aged between sixteen to thirty six years. 38% are university graduate. The average knowledge regarding etiology, predisposing factors, complications and diagnosis of gout were 30%, average knowledge regarding diet consumption related to gout is approximately 30%, average knowledge regarding signs and symptoms of gout was 31% and the overall mean for participants knowledge and awareness were 31%. Overall the participants who reported to have gout were only thirty-six (8%) among them 33% know the normal range of uric acid in blood, 61% informed by their physician or pharmacist about the medication to be taken during the acute attack and 64% informed by physician or pharmacist about the types of foods that should be avoided.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this study found low awareness and knowledge regarding gout among Qatari people. More attention is needed on patient education on gout and self-management training.