Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Toward Hyperuricemia Among Patients Diagnosed with Hyperuricemia.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of patients diagnosed with hyperuricemia toward hyperuricemia.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study enrolled patients with hyperuricemia who sought medical care at Taikang Xianlin Drum Tower Hospital between September 15, 2023, and January 11, 2024. A self-administered questionnaire was developed to collect participants' socio-demographic information and KAP scores regarding hyperuricemia. The threshold for sufficient knowledge, positive attitude, and proactive practice was ≥ 70.0% of the total score.

RESULTS

This study included 483 non-problematic valid questionnaires, with a mean age of 41.83±14.13 years. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 14.65±3.23 (66.59% of the possible maximum of 22), 40.89±4.32 (74.35% of the possible maximum of 55), and 25.66±4.54 (73.31% of the possible maximum of 35). A master's degree or above education (OR=2.555, 95%CU: 1.059-6.164, P=0.037), an income of 10,000-20,000 CNY (OR=2.216, 95% CI: 1.157-4.244, P=0.016), an income of >20,000 CNY (OR=2.237, 95% CI: 1.091-4.586, P=0.028), last uric acid test within the past year (OR=0.583, 95% CI: 0.341-0.997, P=0.049), and not taking uric acid-lowering medication (OR=0.326, 95% CI: 0.204-0.520, P<0.001) were independently associated with knowledge. The knowledge scores (OR=1.181, 95% CI: 1.100-1.269, P<0.001), attitude scores (OR=1.122, 95% CI: 1.063-1.184, P<0.001), age (OR=1.023, 95% CI: 1.005-1.041, P=0.011), current drinker (OR=0.489, 95% CI: 0.301-0.792, P=0.004), last uric acid test within 1 year (OR=0.488, 95% CI: 0.266-0.894, P=0.020), last uric acid test over 1 year ago (OR=0.297, 95% CI: 0.151-0.585, P<0.001), and high uric acid levels at the last test (OR=0.542, 95% CI: 0.299-0.980, P=0.043) were independently associated with practice. The structured equation model showed that knowledge positively influenced attitude (β=0.676, P<0.001) and practice (β=0.494, P=0.002). Attitude positively influenced practice (β=0.624, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patients with hyperuricemia have insufficient knowledge but a positive attitude and proactive practice toward hyperuricemia. Educational and motivational interventions should be designed to improve practice.