Latent Class Growth Analysis Of Gout Flare Trajectories: A Three‐Year Prospective Cohort Study In Pr

The present study was sought to explore the existence of distinct classes of gout flare trajectories and compare their gout‐specific, comorbid, and sociodemographic characteristics. Researchers conducted a prospective cohort study including adults with gout who were registered with 20 general practices self‐reported the number of gout flares experienced at baseline and after 6, 12, 24, and 36 months via postal questionnaires. They applied latent class growth analysis to distinguish distinct gout flare trajectory classes. They described baseline comorbidities, medications, and sociodemographic and gout‐specific characteristics of members of each class. This analysis enrolled a sum of 1,164 participants (mean ± SD age 65.6 ± 12.5 years; 972 [84%] male). The results distinguished six distinct gout flare trajectories. The data exhibited that infrequent flares were correlated with allopurinol use and lower serum urate levels, supporting the use of urate‐lowering therapy to decrease flare frequency. The results demonstrate that characteristics of flare trajectory classes could assist to focus interventions and improve patient care.

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