AB0121 THE WAY OF FRENCH GOUTY PATIENTS SEE THEIR DISEASE: AN AFLAR SURVEY
Authors: D. Poivret, G. Le Pape, J. M. Mrozovski, F. Alliot Launois, M. H. Brun, F. Henri
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> Gout appears to be one of the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, but few informations are available in routine practice about current management and satisfaction of French patients. <h3>Objectives:</h3> Describe the experience of gouty patients through a real-life survey, including their disease experience and management. <h3>Methods:</h3> The survey, initiated by the Association de Patients AFLAR (Association Française de Lutte Anti Rhumatismale) was conducted under the aegis of a steering committee (expert rheumatologist, GP, pharmacist, patients and AFLAR representative). The design and content of the survey has been developed together with several patient representatives and experts. The questionnaire was tested in advance to ensure that patients understood it and that it was consistent with their expectations. The questionnaire, made of closed questions mainly with simple choice, non-blocking, is Google Form type, self-administered and anonymized. The recruitment process is focused on adult patients with gout who are either adhering or not adhering to the AFLAR. Their solicitation was initiated by this association (Questionnaire linked to the AFLAR newsletter and social networks (FB, Linkedin) before being relayed by patients between them. The survey took place from 04/01/2023 to 27/01/2023. <h3>Results:</h3> The population of 211 respondents is 60% male, 83% aged 60 and over, composed of retirees at 69%, and followed by a General Practitioner at over 73% or a GP/rheumatologist duo at 18%.The gouty disease is advanced and active with a diagnosis made for 5 years or 1 to 5 years for 75% of patients, with 2 or more attacks in the last 12 months for 45.7% of patients and at least 2 affected joints for 57% of patients. The most challenging symptoms are severe joint pain eight times out of 10, walking disability more than seven times out of 10, and decreased quality of life four times out of 10. Patients who receive treatment report feeling better or significantly better three out of four times and consider having a solid understanding of what to do in the event of a crisis, including taking medication prescribed beforehand or during an earlier crisis. Treatment during the last gout attack was based on colchicine (alone or combined with tiemonium and opium powder) or NSAIDs respectively in 68% and 24% of cases. In 64% of cases, additional analgesics are used, with one in two cases opting for a level 1 analgesic and three out of four cases opting for a prescription. More than 9 times out of 10 patients are satisfied with their treatment, with their satisfaction being highest for the 3 most troublesome symptoms in the same order. Information on the use of the drug in combination and on the potential effects of the drug are given respectively 6 times out of 10 and 1 time out of 2 mainly by the GP to 86% and 81%. During the last crisis, people preferred to follow proper diet and drinking plenty of water over resting and applying cold, with 38% and 33% respectively compared to 8% and 21%. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> French Gouty patients know their disease well, are satisfied with the treatment, follow the advice relatively well and could benefit more from information by health care professionals. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> Didier Poivret: None declared, Gilles Le Pape: None declared, Jean Michel Mrozovski: None declared, Francoise Alliot Launois: None declared, Marie Hélène Brun: None declared, Franck Henri Mayoli.