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Methods: This epidemiological survey was conducted in two suburbs within our hospital district. A sample of 2847 subjects (54.4% female, 45.6% male) aged 20 years or older was selected by random cluster sampling from a target population of 84504 within the same age group. The survey was carried out by 9 trained clinicians through a face-to-face interview in house using a screening questionnaire. Subjects with the appropriate answers were invited to the hospital for detailed history, physical examination and laboratory investigation. Gout was diagnosed according to Wallace criteria.
Results: Of 312 subjects who were invited to the hospital for further evaluation, 247 responded to the invitation (79.2%). Gout was diagnosed in 11 patients (8 men, 3 women). The prevalence of gout was 0.381% in the sample population. Mean age of the patients was 60.9±10.3 (male: 58.7±10.8; female: 66±8.2). Male to female ratio was 2.6. At onset, first metatarsophalangeal joint (82%), knee (9%) or ankle (9%) were involved; joint involvement pattern was monoarticular in 82% and oligoarticular at 18%. Four patients had uric acid levels higher than 7 mg/dl; six patients had uric acid levels between 3.2-6.9 mg/dl.
Conclusion: This is the first comprehensive gout prevalence study performed in Turkey. The prevalence of gout in this urban area of Izmir is similar to those reported in populations from Europe and North America.