Abstract
Background There are few current data on the prevalence of hyperuricaemia and gout in New Zealand, particularly among the indigenous Maori population. Aims To determine the prevalence of gout and hyperuricaemia in rural and urban Maori and non-Maori community samples and describe the treatment and comorbidities of participants with gout. Methods Participants aged 20-64 years were recruited by random selection from the electoral roll. Maori samples were selected from among those identified as being of Maori descent on the roll and who self-identified as being of Maori ethnicity at interview. Personal medical history, blood pressure, anthropometrics, fasting lipids, glucose, HbA1c and urate were recorded. Results There were 751 participants. Mean serum urate (SU) was 0.30mmol/L (0.06-0.69mmol/L). Maori had a significantly higher prevalence of hyperuricaemia (SU > 0.40mmol/L) compared with non-Maori (17.0% vs 7.5%, P = 0.0003). A total of 57 participants had a history of gout, with a higher prevalence in Maori compared with non-Maori (10.3% vs 2.3%, P < 0.0001). Of the participants, 18/57 (31.6%) with gout were receiving urate-lowering therapy, but in 38.9%, SU was >0.36mmol/L. Participants with gout were more likely to have metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiac disease or hypertension. Conclusions Gout and hyperuricaemia were more prevalent in Maori, and participants with gout were more likely to have comorbidities. There was not a higher overall adjusted cardiovascular disease risk in Maori participants with gout. Despite the high prevalence of gout, management remains suboptimal.