Low adherence to gout medication

Vulnerable at risk in aged care

2 September 2019

Australia-first research by the Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, shows that adherence to gout medications is the lowest of all chronic conditions, even though treatment is highly effective if prescribed appropriately.

It is estimated that 10% of the residential aged care population in Australia has gout which is a painful and debilitating inflammatory arthritis that if left untreated can result in permanent damage to joints.

This study is the first time the prevalence of gout has been studied in Australian residential aged care facilities and looked at the electronic records of more than 11,500 residents aged over 65 years during 2014-2017 in 68 residential aged care facilities.

Lead author of the study published in the Australasian Journal on Ageing, Dr Amy Nguyen, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, says the study shows that gout is common amongst people living in aged care facilities, with many of them also having other serious health conditions including hypertension, heart disease and diabetes.

Dr Nguyen recommends treatment of these patients requires a holistic approach considering their total medication requirements and lifestyle needs.

Dr Nguyen says it is important to note:

Gout places a large burden on sufferers, resulting in debilitating pain.

Dr Nguyen is a health services researcher focussed on aged and community care services, chronic disease and health technologies. Dr Nguyen is available for interview.

The Australian Institute of Health Innovation is a research-intensive institute located at Macquarie University, Sydney, conducting world-class research to catalyse performance improvement in healthcare services and systems in Australia and internationally.

This research is funded by the Australian Research Council.

Centres related to this research:

Centre for Health System and Safety Research

For further information please contact:

Chrissy Clay, Research Outreach Coordinator