THE IMPACT OF AGE AND ANTHROPOMETRIC INDICATORS ON THE COURSE OF GOUT: ANALYSIS OF DISEASE NATURE AND COMORBIDITY TAKING INTO ACCOUNT DISEASE DURATION AND BODY MASS INDEX

Abstract

Introduction. Gout is the most common joint disease among men. Scientists are increasingly paying attention to this problem as the prevalence of hyperuricemia increases annually. Excessive eating, alcohol consumption, and sedentary lifestyles play a significant role in this. Particular attention is paid to the increase in gout cases among young people, which is explained by these factors and contributes to the development of other diseases in patients with gout.

The aim of the study – to study the impact of age and anthropometric indicators on the course of gout and to evaluate the nature of the disease considering disease duration and body mass index (BMI), as well as to analyze the frequency of comorbid pathological processes in patients with gout.

The main part. The article examines the impact of joint functional impairment, anthropometric indicators, and disease duration on the course of gout. During the study, 102 patients diagnosed with gout, who received treatment in the rheumatology department of the Lviv Regional Clinical Hospital during 2023–2024, were analyzed. After a thorough analysis of gender and age aspects, it was established that the gout is mainly diagnosed in men – all (100 %) examined individuals belonged to the male gender. The largest group of patients was in the age range of 46 to 59 years – 62.70 %, in the group of 18–45 years – 20.60 %, from 60 to 74 years – respectively, 11.80 %. Conversely, the smallest group of patients was in the age range of 75 to 90 years – 4.90 %. The study showed that only 29.40 % of patients had preserved work capacity, while 70.60 % lost it. BMI analysis revealed that only 10.80 % had a normal BMI, and first-degree obesity was the most common. It was also found that with an increase in disease duration and BMI, gout exacerbates. Gout patients also had a high frequency of cardiovascular diseases, arterial hypertension, and ischemic heart disease.

Conclusions. The study confirms the low work capacity in 70.60 % of patients with gout and indicates the prevalence of obesity. Increased BMI and disease duration are associated with gout exacerbation. Additionally, this group of patients more frequently experiences cardiovascular diseases, arterial hypertension, and ischemic heart disease.