Health Care Use Among Patients Presenting to Emergency Department for Gout Flares in Ontario, Canada: A Population‐Based Health Systems Analysis
Authors' conclusion
Gout contributes to a high burden of ED visits, with suboptimal treatment, poor follow-up, and frequent representations.
Study context
- Population
- Emergency department (ED) gout visits in Ontario, Canada, 2014–2023; medication use examined in those aged ≥66 years125,505 ED gout visits
- Outcome
- ED gout visits, characteristics and encounter rates
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- ED gout visits, 2014–2023
- 125,505
- Incident ED cases
- 86,824 (69.2%)
- Mean age, years
- 59.7
- Men
- 77.5%
- Hypertension
- 57.7%
- Diabetes
- 24.0%
- Annual crude rate at 2018 peak, visits per 1,000 persons
- 0.99 (95% CI 0.97-1.01)
- Male-specific rate, 2018
- 1.56 (95% CI 1.53-1.59)
- Highest rate, aged 75-84 years, 2015, visits per 1,000 persons
- 3.01 (95% CI 2.89-3.15)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Health care use after ED discharge
- Gout-specific follow-up visits within 30 days
- 21.3%
- Flare medications within 30 days (aged ≥66 years)
- 28.3%
- Opioid prescription filled within 30 days
- 10.3%
- Outpatient serum urate testing by 6 months
- 38.1%
- Repeat ED visits within 90 days
- 29.9%
- Repeat ED visits for gout within 90 days
- 9.4%
Original publication
Health Care Use Among Patients Presenting to Emergency Department for Gout Flares in Ontario, Canada: A Population‐Based Health Systems Analysis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published 11 May 2026. doi:10.
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