Nurse-led cardiovascular disease risk management intervention for patients with gout.

BACKGROUND

Patients with gout are at high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and this risk is frequently under-managed.

AIMS: To evaluate a nurse-led multidisciplinary approach to improve CVD risk management in patients with gout.

METHODS

Patients referred to rheumatology clinics for gout management received a structured nurse-led CVD risk assessment. For the patients with an initial 5 year risk >10%, interventions for CVD prevention were identified and goals developed. These patients were then reassessed approximately 6 months later to determine changes in CVD risk management and profile.

RESULTS

Of 210 patients with gout, 73% had either a 5-year CVD risk >10% or had known CVD. Of these higher risk patients, 84% were available for follow-up. Compared with the initial visit there were improvements at follow-up in: the prescription of aspirin, statins, nicotine replacement therapy, uptake of self-reported activity levels, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, with a trend towards reduced cigarette smoking.

CONCLUSION

A nurse-led intervention to assess and manage cardiovascular risk in patients with gout is effective in improving uptake of preventative interventions.