Abstract
This descriptive research was conducted to determine the prevalence of renal impairment and drug
use in gout patients treated at Nongjik Hospital, Pattani Province. The methodologies included a review
of the medical records of 122 patients in the period from October 2008 to December 2009; estimated glomerular
filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated by the MDRD equation. Data analysis provided the frequency,
percentage, mean and standard deviation. Chi-square test was applied to compare between proportions
and multiple logistic regression was used to determine associations between the prevalence of eGFR < 60
ml/min/1.73 m2.
The majority of patients were male, with their average age being 64 years. Most patients had comorbid
diseases. Medications used were concurrent allopurinol and colchicine. A significant proportion
of patients had chronic kidney disease stage 4 and 5 which was treated with colchicine without dose
adjustment. Of the total, 58.2 per cent of the patients exhibited eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 81.7 per
cent of them showed hypertension. Age was the only significant factor associated with eGFR < 60 ml/
min/1.73 m2 as revealed by multiple logistic regression analysis.
Based on the experience obtained in this study, renal function testing for gout patients is important
for early detection of renal impairment; the finding would also be useful for dose adjustment of the drugs
prescribed, based on which end stage renal disease may be prevented or slowed down.
