Objective:To investigate whether dual-energy computed tomography(DECT) measurement of monosodium urate(MSU) crystal loading can predict the risk of gout flares.Methods:A single-center, prospective, observational study included 229 gout patients initially diagnosed at the Gout Clinic of Qingdao University from August 2021 to February 2022. The patients underwent MSU assessment of the bilateral feet using DECT. Following enrolment, all patients commenced uric acid-lowering therapy(ULT) and were followed up at 3 and 6 months. Patients who experienced at least one flare within 6 months were compared with those who did not, and the odds ratio( OR) for the risk of gout flares was calculated. Results:Patients who experienced gout flare had a significantly longer disease duration[(6.69±5.42) vs(4.14±4.86) years, P<0.01], a higher number of flares in the past year(4.80±1.73 vs 2.02±1. 23, P<0.01), a higher proportion of fatty livers(11.0% vs 1.4%, P<0.05), and a greater volume of MSU crystals in the feet[(3.52±9.74) vs(0.29±0.98)cm 3,P<0.05] compared to patients without gout flare. The results of the multifactorial logistic regression analysis indicated that the number of flares in the past year( OR=1.295, 95% CI 1.032-1.613, P<0.05) and feet MSU crystal volume( OR=3.245, 95% CI 1.164-9.064, P<0.05) were independent risk factors for gout flares. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve indicated the integration of the MSU prediction model into the clinical prediction model resulted in a comprehensive prediction model with an area under curve(AUC) value of 0.780(95% CI 0.710-0.840), sensitivity of 0.83, and specificity of 0.62. Internal validation of the comprehensive prediction model using the Bootstrap method yielded a C-index of 0.770(95% CI 0.701-0.833) for predicting flares. The calibration curve of the model demonstrated a good fit between the predicted probability of flares and the actual probability, indicating high calibration accuracy. Conclusion:The volume of MSU crystals in the feet is an independent risk factor for flares following ULT. A larger volume of MSU crystals in the foot increases the likelihood of a flare. This study provides a basis for early prediction of flare and a reference for early preventive treatment.

Objective:To investigate urinary pH distribution and its influencing factors in gout patients, to provide insights for individualized treatment.Methods:This is a retrospective study. The gout patients in the Gout Outpatient Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from September 2019 to August 2021 were collected. Clinical data were collected and relevant indicators were measured. The patients were divided into different groups according to urinary pH. Clinical characteristics and factors related to urinary pH were compared among the groups. SPSS 23.0 software was used.Results:A total of 2 553 patients were enrolled. There were significant statistical differences in age, body mass index, triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase(ALT), blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR), blood uric acid, urinary uric acid/creatinine ratio, fraction excretion of uric acid(FEUA) among groups with different urinary pH( F were 5.114, 4.772, 7.170, 4.721, 13.603, 2.812, 3.422, 22.834, 18.230, 26.332, all P<0.05). Urinary uric acid and FEUA in acute group were higher than those in remission group( Z were -2.295, -3.528, both P<0.05). After adjusting for gender, age, eGFR, logistics regression analysis showed that body mass index, triglyceride, total cholesterol, ALT, blood uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen were still risk factors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that triglyceride, blood uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen were independent risk factors associated with acid urine. Linear correlation analysis showed that urinary pH was negatively correlated with body mass index, triglyceride, total cholesterol, blood uric acid, fasting glucose, blood urea nitrogen, ALT( r were -0.079, -0.106, -0.051, -0.186, -0.040, -0.122, -0.051, all P<0.05), but positively correlated with eGFR( r=0.058, P=0.003). Conclusion:The overall urine pH levels in patients with primary gout are below normal reference. Several metabolic components are related to it. Triglyceride, blood uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen are independent risk factors of acidic urine. In clinical practice, attention should be paid to timely alkalization of urine to prevent complications.

Objective To investigate the pathogenesis of superficial mycosis among naval trainees, and observe the efficacy of a novel antifungal drug. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted on the onset, medication and recurrence of superficial fungal infection among the trainees from January, 2020 to July, 2020. At the same time, the new antifungal drug sulconazole nitrate spray was provided for treatment and the drug efficacy was observed. Results The participants generally lacked understanding and attention to superficial fungal infections. The incidence rate of superficial fungal infection was 52%, of which 76.2% of patients had recurrence of superficial fungal infection. The sulconazole nitrate spray showed great effect against these infections. Conclusion The trainees should understand the causes of superficial fungal infection through health education and seek medical treatment and medication in time. The cure rate of superficial fungal infections could only be improved through the collaborative management of the school, hospital, and trainees to reduce the impact of these infections on naval trainees’ work and life.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of multiple tophi among gout patients.Methods:Gout patients treated at Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from September 2017 to September 2021 were included retrospectively. According to the number of tophi, the patients were divided into the multiple tophi group, the single tophi group and the non-tophi group. Clinical data were collected, biochemical indices and urine pH value were determined. One- way ANOVA or Chi-square test was used to compare groups, and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors. Results:The age, disease course, blood pressure, serum uric acid, urea nitrogen, and the rate of family history, smoking, drinking, gout attacks≥2 twice per year, hypertension, cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, kidney stones in the multiple tophi group were significantly higher than those in the single tophi group and the non-tophi group. The glomerular filtration rate, urine pH value and the rate of regular exercise were significantly lower than those of single tophi group and non-tophi group. In the multiple tophi group, 245 cases(44.46%) were involved in the interphalangeal joint or metacarpophalangeal joint, 212 cases(38.47%) were involved in other joints of the upper limb, which was second only to the first metatarsophalangeal joint(349 cases, 63.33%). Logistic regression analysis showed that the course of disease, urea nitrogen, serum uric acid, positive family history, drinking, gout attacks ≥twice per year and hypertension were the risk factors for multiple tophi in gout patients. Conclusion:Patients with a long disease course, elevated uric acid, high urea nitrogen, positive family history, alcohol consumption, frequent gout flare and hypertension are more likely to develop multiple tophi.

Objective:To explore the application and effect of multidisciplinary collaboration in patients with tophi during perioperative period.Methods:Forty-five patients undergoing tophaceous gout surgery in our hospital from May to October 2020 were selected as the control group and treated with routine treatment.From November 2020 to April 2021, 41 patients undergoing tophaceous gout surgery in our hospital who were treated with multidisciplinary collaboration management mode were included as the intervention group. Postoperative pain, blood uric acid level, hospitalization expenses, hospitalization days and patient satisfaction were compared between the two groups.Results:After implementing the multidisciplinary integration man-agement mode, the pain score of the patients at 4 hours, 1 day and 3 days after operation was lower than that of the control group [(3.6±1.0) vs (4.1±1.0), t=2.33, P=0.022; (2.5±0.8) vs (3.0±0.6), t=3.85, P<0.001; (1.8±0.5) vs (2.2±0.7), t=3.52, P<0.001], the serum uric acid level was significantly lower than that of the control group at 1 month and 3 months after operation [(355±58) vs (3928±39), t=3.50, P=0.001; (316±48) vs (366±47), t=4.84, P<0.001], the hospitalization days and hospitalization expenses were significantly decreased [(8.90±2.48) d vs (10.62±3.96) d, t=2.44, P=0.017; (1.00±0.13) ten thousand yuan vs (1.11±0.17) ten thousand yuan, t=3.34, P=0.001], and the patient satisfaction was markedly improved (97.6% vs 82.2%, χ2=3.87, P=0.049). Conclusion:The multi-disciplinary collaboration mode in patients with tophi during perioperative period can effectively reduce the postoperative pain, improve the quality of care, promote reha-bilitation, improve the outcome, and reduce the economic burden of patients, which is worthy of popularization and being applied in clinic.

Objective:To compare the clinical outcomes between replacement with a composite press-fit radial head prosthesis versus open reduction and plate-screw internal fixation in the treatment of adult Mason Ⅲ radial head fractures.Methods:The clinical data of 64 adult patients with Mason Ⅲ radial head fracture were retrospectively analyzed who had been admitted to Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Friendship Hospital from January 2012 to December 2019. They were 18 males and 46 females, aged from 32 to 58 years (average, 45.7 years). They were divided into 2 groups: 32 cases received mini-plate-screw internal fixation (internal fixation group) and 32 cases replacement with a composite press-fit radial head prosthesis (replacement group). At the last follow-up, elbow valgus angle, range of elbow motion, Mayo score of elbow function and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score were recorded and compared to evaluate the postoperative clinical outcomes.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, showing they were comparable ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for 8 to 48 months (average, 18.7 months). The operation time was, respectively, (81.4±8.2) min and (68.9±7.3) min for the internal fixation group and the replacement group, showing a statistically significant difference ( P< 0.05). For the internal fixation group and the replacement group at the last follow-up, the flexion and extension angles were 95° to 125° and 100° to 140°, the rotation angles 135.3°±11.2° and 143.5°±12.8°, and the Mayo scores 79.2±3.8 and 83.4±3.9, all significantly favoring the replacement group ( P<0.05). The VAS pain scores before operation and at the last follow-up were 7.6±0.7 and 0.9±0.7 for the internal fixation group, and 7.9±0.8 and 0.7±0.6 for the replacement group, showing significant differences between preoperation and the last follow-up in both groups ( P<0.05). All the incisions healed by the first intention, with no postoperative infection. Internal fixation loosening with ulnar neuritis was reported in one case in the internal fixation group; peri-prosthesis absorption with no prosthesis loosening was observed in one case in the replacements group. Conclusion:In the treatment of adult Mason Ⅲ radial head fractures, although both replacements with a composite press-fit radial head prosthesis and open reduction and plate-screw internal fixation can lead to satisfactory results, the former may be more effective.

Objective:To explore the impact of pain, functional disability, self-efficacy and social support on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in gout patients.Methods:From November 2019 to January 2020, a total of 218 patients with gout were investigated using the general information questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scale, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, and Gout Impact Scale. The structural equation model was established by AMOS 24.0 for parth analysis, and the mechanism of pain dysfuction, self-efficacy and social support affecting the quality of life in gout patients was tested.Results:The total score of Gout Impact Scale, pain, functional disability, self-efficacy and social support respectively was 59.94±18.39, 6.00±2.76, 0.25 0, 0.88, 23.39±6.40 and 62.92±8.24. Pain directly influenced HRQOL ( β=-0.293, P<0.01), and indirectly influenced HRQOL ( β=-0.039, P<0.05). Functional disability directly influenced HRQOL ( β=-0.244, P<0.01). Self-efficacy directly influenced HRQOL ( β=0.182, P<0.01), and indirectly influenced HRQOL ( β=0.202, P<0.01) through pain and functional disability. Social support indirectly influenced HRQOL ( β=0.278, P<0.01) through pain, functional disability and self-efficacy. Conclusions:HRQOL of patients among gout is affected by several factors, mainly affected by pain, functional disability and self-efficacy; and there are interactions among them. Targeted interventions should be strengthened to relieve pain, prevent or slow down the progress of physical disability, enhance self-efficacy and social support to improve HRQOL.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with the formation of subcutaneous tophi among young gout patients.Methods:Gout patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from September 2016 to June 2020 were included. The clinical information was collected and relevant biochemical indices were detected. Fasting urine was collected to test urine pH value, urine uric acid and urine creatinine. Patients were divided into young tophi group and non-tophi group according to age. The measurement data of normal distribution was expressed as Mean±Standard deviation, and independent sample t test and one-way analysis of variance were used. The counting data was tested by Chi-square test. The risk factors were analyzed by logistic regression. Results:A total of 4 798 primary gout patients were collected. There were 915 patients with subcutaneous tophi, 2 308 young gout patients, 252 young gouty tophi patients among them. The average BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, triglyceride level, serum uric acid level, glomerular filtration rate, alanineamino -transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino -transferase (AST) in the young tophi group were significantly higher than those in the middle-age tophi group ( F=46.074, 2.551, 9.203, 10.370, 15.118, 68.741, 35.023, 5.175, all P<0.05). Average age of disease onset, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, urine FEUA, Uua/Ucr and urea nitrogen level in young tophi group were significantly lower than those in middle-age tophi group ( F=474.876, 7.629, 6.441, 34.877, 3.633, 50.867, all P<0.05]. The age [(35±7) years old vs (33±7) years old], disease course [(7±4) years vs (4±3) years], blood pressure [(139±17) mmHg vs (135±16) mmHg], [(90±13) mmHg vs (86±12) mmHg], serum triglyceride [(2.6±2.1) mmol/L vs (2.4±2.0) mmol/L], total cholesterol [(4.9±1.4) mmol/L vs (4.6±1.4) mmol/L], serum uric acid [(547±171) μmol/L vs (490±160) μmol/L], urea nitrogen [(5.0±2.0) mmol/L vs (4.4±1.7) mmol/L], family history (27.0% vs 19.6%) and smoking rate(56.0% vs 48.9%) of tophi patients were significantly higher than those of non-tophi patients in young patients ( t=4.717, P<0.05; t=12.838, P<0.05; t=3.414, P<0.05; t=4.676, P<0.05; t=2.085, P<0.05; t=2.451, P<0.05; t=5.308, P<0.05; t=4.090, P<0.05; χ2=7.423, P<0.05; χ2=4.235, P<0.05) . The age of disease onset [(28±6) years vs (29±7) years] and glomerular filtration rate [(96±21) ml·min -1·1.73 m -2vs (103±21) ml·min -1·1.73 m -2] were statistically significantly lower than those of non-tophi patients ( t=-2.711, P<0.01; t=-4.907, P<0.01). Logistics regression analysis showed that age, course of disease, blood pressure, blood lipids level, serum uric acid level, family history of gout and smoking were risk factors for the formation of tophi in young people. After further adjusted for age, course of disease and family history of gout, it was found that serum uric acid, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and urea nitrogen remined risk factors for tophi, while glomerular filtration rate remained a protective factor in young patients. Conclusion:Young tophi patients are always obese and have lipid metabolism disorder. Young patients with high level of serum uric acid and blood pressure, decreased renal function are prone to complicate with subcutaneous tophi. More attention should be paid in clinical practice to prevent or delay the formation of tophi.

Objective: To analyze the risk factors of frequent gout flare, and to evaluate its susceptibility to identify patients with≥2 acute attacks per year. Methods: A total of 579 of cases gout patients with no history of taking urate lowering treatment (ULT) in recent 12 months were enrolled. The patients were divided into frequent group (gout episodes≥twice per year) and non-frequent group(gout attacksResults: There were significant differences in involvement of upper limb joints, tophi, combining hypertension and renal stone between two groups. The two groups had no statistical differences in family history, gender, history of smoking and drinking, ratios of regular exercise, and combining diabetes, hepatic insufficiency, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and overweight/obesity. There was significant differences in the number of joints involved, the history of disease duration, the level of SUA and TG[(4.66±2.54) vs (2.77±1.64), (6.68±5.11) vs (5.14±3.89) years, (525.82±132.11) vs (489.33±139.81) μmol/L, (2.51±1.94) vs (2.05±1.22) mmol/L, P<0.05 or P<0.01]; There were no statistical differences in age of onset, SBP, DBP, age of initial diagnosis, fasting blood glucose, TC, creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, AST, ALT, body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio. Logistic regression analysis indicated that a large number of joints involved and higher serum uric acid level were risk factors of frequent gout attacks. The ROC curve showed that the number of joints involved had qualified performance in identifying patients with frequent gout attacks. When the number of joints involved was >2, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 77.8%, 43.3%, 85.6%, and 56.6%, respectively, and the difference was significant. Conclusion Higher SUA and a larger number of joints involved associate independently with frequent gout attacks. The number of joints involved at initial diagnosis>2, which can predict the frequent flare, and start ULT as earlier as possible. Patients with joints involved at initial diagnosis>2 are at greater risk of frequent gout flare.

Objective: To investigate the risk factors for susceptibility of abnormal liver function in patients with gout. Methods: A total of 5 044 cases of male gout patients in remission were selected and divided into normal liver function group with 3 693 patients and abnormal liver function group with 1 351 patients. The clinical information was collected and relevant biochemical indices were detected. Serum uric acid(SUA) was divided into quartiles, and its associations with elevated ALT were evaluated. Results: There were significant differences in the history of drinking, family history, combining with hyperlipidemia, fatty liver, and coronary heart disease between the abnormal liver function group and normal function group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). There were significant statistical differences in age, disease duration, body mass index, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol and triglyceride, uric acid, and creatinine clearance rate between 2 groups(P<0.01), while without significant difference in history of smoking, regular exercise, combining hypertension and diabetes, the means of systolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose(all P>0.05). Further logistic regression analysis indicated that body mass, waist circumference, combining fatty liver, higher SUA level, higher cholesterol and triglyceride were risk factors of the early onset of abnormal liver function. ALT and the proportion of abnormal liver function were increased with the increase of UA. After adjustment for BMI, TG, TC and fatty liver, the ALT level and the proportion of abnormal liver function decreased significantly while still showed an upward trend. Conclusion Patients with obesity, high level of uric acid, high blood lipids and fatty liver were more likely to develop abnormal liver function, SUA was independently associated with elevated ALT.