[Austrian nutrition and lifestyle recommendations for gout and hyperuricemia].

BACKGROUND

Gout is the most common inflammatory arthropathy in the Western world. This is mainly due to the high socioeconomic status, sufficient even superfluous nutrition, overweight and alcohol consumption. Despite adequate medication, information and advice on nutrition and lifestyle are one of the cornerstones in the management of these patients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to provide recommendations on nutrition and lifestyle in cases of gout and hyperuricemia by a group of rheumatologists, based on a review of the most recent literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study group for osteoarthritis and crystal arthropathies of the Austrian Society for Rheumatology and Rehabilitation (ÖGR) carried out a literature search on this topic. The selected papers were listed according to the level of evidence.

RESULTS

Based on this literature search nine recommendations were generated and modified via a Delphi approach: four red "don'ts" concerning nutrition and beverages to be avoided, three green "do's" concerning favorable food as well as two blue general lifestyle recommendations. The format of the recommendations is a two-page leaflet with the list of recommendations, level of evidence, strength of recommendation and literature citations on the front page and a colored icon presentation of food and beverages in a circle, matching the colors of the written recommendations, on the reverse.

CONCLUSION

For the first time in Austria, nine recommendations on nutrition, beverages and lifestyle for patients with gout and hyperuricemia were defined for everyday practice, as education material for patients and updated information for physicians.