Higher Rates of Venous Thromboembolism in Gout Save

A Canadian administrative claims analysis has shown that gout-associated inflammation increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE) before and after the diagnosis of gout.

Using a matched cohort study of population-based claims data, researchers assessed incidence rates (IRs) and multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for the risk of VTE, DVT and PE in gout patients, before and after the diagnosis.

The dataset included 130,708 incident gout patients (64% male, mean age 59 years), 2071 developed VTE, 1377 developed DVT and 1012 developed PE. The calculated IR were higher in gout patients compared to non-gout.

The adjusted HRs were significantly higher for VTE (HR 1.22), DVT (HR 1.28) and PE (HR 1.16).

Prior to the diagnosis of gout period, the risk of VTE increased in the third, second and first years preceding gout (HR of 1.44, 1.56 and 1.62, respectively).

Similarly, after the diagnosis of gout, the risk of VTE was increased post-diagnosis in the first (HR 1.63), second (HR 1.29), third (HR 1.33), fourth (HR 1.33) and fifth (HR 1.22) years after the diagnosis of gout. Similar trends were also seen for DVT and PE.

Increased risks of VTE, DVT and PE were found both before and after gout diagnosis. Its unclear if the augmented thrombosis risk is related to hyperuricemia or overt and subclinical inflammation.