METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study from July to October 2019 that included all patients with gout who attended the clinics. Data on clinical demographics and laboratory results were collected. Comparison between tophaceous and non-tophaceous groups was performed using descriptive analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 421 patients with gout were involved in this study, 83 (19.7%) patients had visible tophi and were categorized into the tophaceous group, while the other 338 (80.3%) patients were categorized into the non-tophaceous group. The majority of patients were male with a mean age of 57.6±12.8 years. Three factors found to be significantly associated with tophaceous gout were age at symptom onset [tophaceous (45.6±13.3 years) vs. non-tophaceous (49.7±13.9 years), p = 0.026], mean disease duration of gout [tophaceous (105.2±92.6 months) vs. non-tophaceous (77.6±88.6 months), p = 0.013], and baseline serum uric acid level [tophaceous (622.3±129.1 µmol/L) vs. non-tophaceous (582.6±102.3 µmol/L), p = 0.021].
CONCLUSIONS: Tophaceous gout is associated with longer disease duration, higher baseline serum uric acid level, and younger age at symptoms onset. Hence, early initiation of urate-lowering therapy with a treat-to-target approach is crucial to prevent tophi formation.