Clinical Report: Impact of Patient Awareness on Hyperuricaemia Management

Overview

This study assessed knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards hyperuricaemia among patients in China using a validated questionnaire. Findings demonstrated significant correlations between patient knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices, highlighting the importance of patient education in disease management.

Background

Hyperuricaemia prevalence is increasing globally, notably in China where it affects 5–25% of the population. It is a metabolic abnormality linked to gout progression, with serum urate levels correlating with gout incidence. Management involves lifestyle modification, pharmacologic therapy, and regular monitoring. The KAP model, which links knowledge to attitudes and behaviors, offers a framework to understand patient engagement but has been underexplored specifically in hyperuricaemia patients.

Data Highlights

The questionnaire included 13 knowledge items (score range 13–65), 5 attitude items (score range 6–30), and 10 practice items (score range 10–50). Scores above 70% of maximum indicated sufficient knowledge, positive attitude, and proactive practice. The survey was conducted online with quality control measures excluding invalid responses. Statistical analyses included Spearman’s correlation and structural equation modeling to test relationships among KAP dimensions.

Key Findings

• Patient knowledge about hyperuricaemia significantly influenced their attitudes towards disease management.
• Positive attitudes were strongly associated with proactive clinical practices, including lifestyle modifications and adherence to therapy.
• Knowledge had both direct and indirect effects on practice, mediated through attitude, as demonstrated by structural equation modeling.
• The validated questionnaire showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.933) in assessing KAP dimensions.
• Use of an online platform enabled efficient data collection with measures to ensure data quality and prevent duplicate entries.

Clinical Implications

Enhancing patient knowledge through targeted education can positively shape attitudes and improve self-management behaviors in hyperuricaemia. Clinicians should integrate educational interventions into routine care to empower patients, potentially improving disease outcomes. Regular assessment of patient KAP may guide personalized support strategies.

Conclusion

This study underscores the critical role of patient awareness in influencing attitudes and practices related to hyperuricaemia management. Incorporating patient-centered education within clinical practice is essential for effective disease control.

References

1. Global and Chinese prevalence studies (Refs 1-3)
2. Clinical manifestations and gout progression (Refs 4-6)
3. Patient self-management and KAP model relevance (Refs 7-17)
4. Practice guideline for hyperuricaemia/gout (Ref 18)
5. KAP scoring and threshold references (Ref 19)