Two Thirds of People With Gout Feel Condition Is Not Taken Seriously

The 2010 Gout Attitudes Patient Survey (GAPS), a new study of Americans with gout, sheds light on the painful reality of what life is like for the approximately 5 million Americans who live with this condition. Of those surveyed, 69% described the pain of a gout attack as "miserable," yet one quarter of gout patients feel that those without gout perceive them as overreacting to attacks, and 67% feel as though others do not take the condition seriously.

The 2010 GAPS, conducted by Braun Research, Inc, surveyed 1,000 individuals living with gout. The survey sought to assess the level of discomfort or pain they have experienced, the emotional toll that gout has on those living with it, and how well these individuals understand their condition.

Key findings of the survey included the following:

• When asked to describe the physical sensation of a gout attack, 23% of gout patients compared the pain to shattered glass piercing their skin, 28% to breaking a bone, and 34% to a severe burn.

• The survey also asked patients, theoretically, what they would give up in exchange for never having another gout flare—37% responded that they would give up winning the lottery and 22% said they would give up a year's worth of vacation time.

• Although one third of respondents have experienced an average of two or more attacks in the last 12 months, 91% of respondents feel that they have their gout under control.

"June is Men's Health Month, and during this time Men's Health Network encourages heightened awareness of a variety of health conditions, including gout," says Scott Williams, vice president of the Men's Health Network. "Our focus is to raise awareness of the need for men to be proactive in taking care of their health, and clearly, gout is a good example. With proper management, patients can reduce the risk of experiencing painful attacks, so we urge men—and women—who live with gout to work with their doctor, ask questions, and develop the management plan that is best for them."

Source: Men's Health Network