The large study, led by Dr Zoe Paskins at Keele University, found that patients suffering with gout are not at a higher risk of fractures.
Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis, which affects 2.4% of adults in the UK. The painful condition is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood which develops needle-like crystals in the joint.
Previous research has provided conflicting evidence about whether or not patients suffering with gout are more likely to experience fractures. These earlier studies have failed to take into account lifestyle related factors, such as body mass index (BMI) and alcohol consumption.
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) School for Primary Care Research funded this large study, which aimed to gain a better understanding of fracture risk for gout patients and improve pain management.
Using data from a large primary care research database, the research team studied over 31,000 patients with gout and followed them up for between 6.8 years and 13.6 years.
The research found that the number of patients with fractures also suffering with gout, was similar to those without the condition. In addition, it found that the medication used to lower the uric acid levels in gout patients had no effect on the long-term risk of fractures.
Publication: Risk of fragility fracture among patients with gout and the effect of urate-lowering therapy