Gout App Improves Treat to Target, Reduces Flares

[Prem]

Self-management of gout using a smartphone app to record self-test urate levels and flares, and communicate those results to clinicians, could see more patients reaching target urate levels and even reducing flare frequency, a study has found.

Writing in The Lancet Rheumatology, Philip Riches, PhD, of the rheumatic disease unit at Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, and coauthors presented the findings of their randomized, controlled feasibility study of a new gout self-management approach aimed at helping patients treat to target.

[Raju]

@prem Patients in the intervention group who recorded a urate level above 0.30 mmol/L (5 mg/dL) via the app during the study were prompted to do a self-test every 2 weeks and given daily reminders in the app. Their urate levels were transmitted securely to the study team who then advised on dose escalation or treatment change. Those in the usual-care group also used the app but it only prompted them to record gout flares, keep quality of life diaries, or message the researchers.