Comparison of New-Onset Gout in Adults Prescribed Chlorthalidone vs Hydrochlorothiazide for Hypertension

Abstract

This study assessed the risk of new-onset gout following prescribing of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) compared with chlorthalidone (CTD). This retrospective cohort analysis used administrative claims from 2000 to 2012 to identify patients aged 18 to 89 years with hypertension who were prescribed CTD or HCTZ. Patients were excluded if they had a prior diagnosis of gout, conditions or prescription claims for medications that alter risk of gout, or if they switched between these two diuretics. A total of 1011 patients prescribed CTD were matched with 2022 patients prescribed HCTZ based on age, sex, and Chronic Condition Indicator. New-onset gout occurred in 17 of 1011 (1.68%) patients in the CTD group and in 26 of 2022 (1.29%) patients in the HCTZ group (P=27). The number of days to first occurrence of gout was 183.6 days and 152.7 days in the CTD and HCTZ groups, respectively (P=39). The mean daily dose was 22.7 mg for CTD and 24.3 mg for HCTZ, and the median dose of both CTD and HCTZ was 25 mg at the time of new-onset gout. Patients prescribed CTD for hypertension have a similar risk of developing new-onset gout compared with patients prescribed similar doses of HCTZ.