Clinical Features and Risk Factors of Fever in Acute Gouty Arthritis

Abstract

Objectives. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of fever in hospitalised patients with acute gouty arthritis (AGA). Methods. The clinical data of 167 hospitalised patients with AGA who met the inclusion criteria were retrospectively analysed. The demographic, clinical, and medication data of patients with and without fever were compared, and risk factors associated with fever were identified via logistic regression analysis. Results. The incidence of fever in hospitalised patients with AGA was 31.1%, with low-grade fever being predominant. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, white blood cell counts, neutrophil proportion, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were higher in the fever group than in the non-fever group ( P < 0.05 for all). In addition, the incidence rates of arthritis of single knee and polyarthritis were higher in patients in the fever group ( P < 0.05 ). The proportion of patients who received betamethasone injection and combination therapy were higher in the fever group ( P < 0.05 ). However, no significant differences were observed in age; sex; uric acid (UA) levels; and the incidence rate of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and renal function abnormalities between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that arthritis of single knee, polyarthritis, age of ≥65 years, CRP levels, and VAS scores were risk factors for concomitant AGA and fever. Among these factors, CRP levels and VAS scores were identified as independent risk factors (odds ratio [OR], 1.014 and 1.686, respectively; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.004–1.025 and 1.115–2.549, respectively; P < 0.05 for both). Conclusion. The incidence of fever is high in hospitalised patients with AGA. Elderly patients, patients with arthritis affecting only one knee, and those with polyarthritis are predisposed to fever. In addition, the risk of developing fever increases with increasing VAS scores and CRP levels, and patients presenting with fever require enhanced anti-inflammatory and analgesic therapy.

Retracted: Clinical Features and Risk Factors of Fever in Acute Gouty Arthritis

“…This article has been retracted by Hindawi following an investigation undertaken by the publisher [1]. This investigation has uncovered evidence of one or more of the following indicators of systematic manipulation of the publication process:…”

“…This article has been retracted by Hindawi following an investigation undertaken by the publisher [ 1 ]. This investigation has uncovered evidence of one or more of the following indicators of systematic manipulation of the publication process: Discrepancies in scope Discrepancies in the description of the research reported Discrepancies between the availability of data and the research described Inappropriate citations Incoherent, meaningless and/or irrelevant content included in the article Peer-review manipulation …”