Risk Factors of Gout in MDR-TB Patients in Eritrea: A Case-Control Study

Though the incidence of gout in general population is less than 5% (globally), a study conducted in Eritrea among patients with multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) revealed a higher incidence (25%). Other similar studies conducted elsewhere, however, did not report gout as an adverse effect. It is unknown why a higher incidence of gout is being reported in Eritrea compared to similar studies from other countries. The objective of this study is therefore to explore risk factors for the increased risk of incident gout among MDR-TB patients in Eritrea. A case-control study was conducted in Merhano MDR-TB National Referral Hospital in Eritrea. All MDR-TB patients diagnosed with gout between June 2011 and June 2018 were considered as cases. Controls matched by age, sex, and cumulative drug exposure time were selected from the same study population (1:1 ratio). A total of 84 MDR-TB patients, 42 cases and 42 controls, were included in this study. No patient from the control group has comorbidities, while six patients from the case group have diabetes (χ2 = 6.46, df=1, p=0.026). Patients having tachycardia (OR=3.26, 95% CI=1.28, 8.27), alopecia (OR=3.11, 95% CI=1.00, 9.67), and gastrointestinal upset (OR=3.17, 95% CI=1.26, 7.96) as adverse effects and being on prolonged use of propranolol (OR=3.26, 95% CI=1.28, 8.27) were found to be more likely to develop incident gout compared to their controls. In conclusion, MDR-TB patients with diabetes mellitus, tachycardia, alopecia, and gastrointestinal upset and on prolonged use of propranolol tablet had increased risk of incident gout.