Patient information about gout: An international review of existing educational resources

Abstract

Objective. Inadequate patient information about gout may contribute to poor disease outcomes. We reviewed existing educational resources for gout to identify strengths and weaknesses and compare resources cross-nationally. Methods. Content, readability, and dietary recommendations were reviewed using a sample of 30 resources (print and Web-based) from 6 countries. Results. More than half of the resources were written at a highly complex level. Some content areas were lacking coverage, including comorbidity risks, uric acid target levels, and continuing allopurinol during acute attacks. Conclusion. Our findings suggest significant room for improvement in gout patient educational resources, particularly regarding self-management.