RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Knowledge and practice in the management of asymptomatic hyperuricemia among primary health care physicians in Jeddah, Western Region of Saudi Arabia
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 1218
OP 1225
DO 10.15537/smj.2018.12.23715
VO 39
IS 12
A1 Alqarni, Norah A.
A1 Hassan, Abdul H.
YR 2018
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/39/12/1218.abstract
AB Objectives: To assess knowledge and practice levels in asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AH) and investigate predictors of urate-lowering therapy (ULT) misprescribing among primary health care (PHC) physicians.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 201 PHC physicians from December 2017 to May 2018. A based clinical guidelines for hyperuricemia management from American Professional Organizations, a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to collect demographic and professional data; knowledge and practice levels in management of AH; and barriers to the management of hyperuricemia and gout, with focus of the misprescribing of ULT in AH. A 2-stage stratified sampling technique was used to select 4 PHC centers were from each of the 5 advisory sectors in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and to recruit a minimum of 10 eligible participants per primary health care center (PHCC). Binary logistic regression was used to analyze predictors of ULT misuse in AH.Results: Only 32.8% participating physicians had adequate knowledge about AH. Regarding practice, while majority (88.1%) correctly recommended a low-purine diet and lifestyle changes to patients, almost half misprescribed ULT and 10.9% misprescribed non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. Lack of knowledge and awareness about guidelines were the most frequently self-reported barriers to adequate practice. Predictors of ULT misuse included the percentage of patients having gout (1-10%: OR=5.40, p=0.047) or receiving ULT (>10-20%: OR=20.02, p=0.001)among patients seen in clinic, attendance of rheumatology conferences (OR=2.55, p=0.017), and having a close relative with hyperuricemia or gout (OR=2.45, p=0.026).Conclusion: There are inadequate levels of knowledge regarding AH among Saudi PHC physicians increasing risk of malpractice including misprescription of ULT and anti-inflammatory medications.