Gout, hyperuricaemia, sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome and vascular risk.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate cardiovascular (CV) and atherothrombosis risk factors in patients with gout and hyperuricaemia with suspected sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (SAHS) compared with a control group of subjects with knee OA and SAHS.

METHODS

Clinical information on CV risk factors and atherothrombosis was collected in a rheumatology department in patients with gout and hyperuricaemia and suspicion of SAHS. Confirmation polysomnography that registered apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) and oxygen saturation during sleep (SaO2) was performed. The control group consisted of patients with OA and polysomnographically confirmed SAHS.

RESULTS

In the gout patient group (54 patients, 48 men), CV risk factors were found in 77.8% and evidence of atherothrombosis in 46.3%. In the OA group (36 patients, 27 men), CV risk factors were found in 66.7% and evidence of atherothrombosis in 0%. SAHS diagnosis was confirmed by polysomnography in 88.9% of patients. AHI showed mild, moderate and severe SAHS in 12%, 26% and 66% of the gout patients and 45%, 24% and 30% of the OA patients, respectively. SaO2 was 90.18% in the gout group and 91.26% in the OA group.

CONCLUSION

Patients with gout and hyperuricaemia and suspicion of SAHS had polysomnographically confirmed SAHS in 88.9% of cases. These patients had more severe forms of SAHS and a greater prevalence of documented atherothrombotic disease compared with a control group with OA.