A significant increase in absolute emergency department (ED) use and charges for gout-related visits was observed although relative use remained stable, according to a recent study. To this end, researchers suggest that modifiable comorbidity factors associated with higher gout-related visits to the ED should be targeted. They used the US National ED Sample (NEDS) data to examine the time trends in total ED visits and charges and ED-related hospitalizations with gout as the primary diagnosis. Data indicated 180,789, 201,044, and 205,152 ED visits in 2009, 2010, and 2012, respectively, with gout as the primary diagnosis; total ED charges were $195 million, $239 million, and $287 million, respectively. Researchers found:

• Of all gout-related ED visits, 7.7% were admitted to the hospital in 2012.

• Mean/median length of hospital stay was 3.9/2.6 days and mean/median inpatient charge/admission with gout as the primary diagnosis was $22,066/$15,912 in 2012.

• In multivariable adjusted analyses, these factors were associated with higher ED charges: older age, female sex, highest income quartile, being uninsured, metropolitan residence, Western US hospital location, heart disease, renal failure, hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Citation: Singh JA, Yu S. Time trends, predictors, and outcome of emergency department use for gout: A nationwide US study. [Published online ahead of print May 1, 2016]. J Rheumatol. doi:10.3899/jrheum.151419.