Gender difference in the association between gout at diagnosis and metabolic syndrome in African population: a retrospective cohort study

• Published in: The Pan African medical journal Vol. 43; p. 164
• Main Authors: Lekpa, Fernando Kemta, Bebey, Francine Same, Bouallo, Isabel, Njonnou, Sylvain Raoul Simeni, Luma, Henry Namme, Singwe-Ngandeu, Madeleine, Choukem, Simeon-Pierre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Uganda The African Field Epidemiology Network 2022
• Subjects: Aged; Cameroon - epidemiology; Female; Gout - diagnosis; Gout - epidemiology; Humans; Hypertension - complications; Hypertension - epidemiology; Male; Metabolic Syndrome - diagnosis; Metabolic Syndrome - epidemiology; Middle Aged; Obesity - complications; Obesity - epidemiology; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Uric Acid; Waist Circumference; Cameroon; metabolic syndrome; hyperuricemia; female; Gout
• ISSN: 1937-8688; 1937-8688
• DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2022.43.164.37197

few studies have specifically investigated the link between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and gout in sub-Saharan Africa. This report aimed to evaluate in patients with gout the association between gout at diagnosis and MetS and to assess the gender difference.
we performed a single-centre retrospective cohort study on all outpatients seen in the Rheumatology Unit of the General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon. We included records of patients with a recent diagnosis of gout according to the American College of Radiology (ACR) criteria. MetS was defined according to the harmonized criteria.
we included 511 patients (415 men), with a mean age at diagnosis of 55.9 ±10.8 years. Women were older than men. The mean serum uric acid was 8.24±2.23 mg/L, with hyperuricemia found in 394 patients (77.1%). MetS was present in 101 patients (19.7% [95% CI: 16.8%-22.1%]), significantly more common in men compared to women (23.6% vs. 10.8%; p<0.001). The main components of the MetS were: increased waist circumference (217 patients, 61.3%), obesity (256 patients, 52.2%), hypertension (208 patients, 40.7%), and diabetes mellitus (52 patients, 10.2%). Furthermore, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and increased waist circumference were more frequent in women (p<0.001). There was no difference in dyslipidemia according to gender. The combination of components of the MetS was more frequent in men than women (p<0.001).
MetS are common in newly diagnosed Cameroonian patients with gout, with increased waist circumference, obesity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus being the main components. These components are more common in women, but their combination was more frequent in men.