Exploring the Knowledge Gap: Gout Awareness among Saudi Citizens

Introduction: Gout is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy that has garnered increasing interest in recent years. Despite its growing prevalence, community awareness and knowledge about gout remain limited. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of gout among the Saudi community and to examine the prevalence of gout among the participants. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted over an eight-month period (April to November 2024) across several regions of Saudi Arabia. A randomly selected sample of 352 Saudi individuals participated in the study. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were applied using SPSS (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Result: Among the 352 participants, 176 (50%) were females. A considerable proportion, 195 participants (55%), demonstrated a high level of educational attainment. The overall mean knowledge score regarding gout was 46%. Specifically, the mean percentage score for general knowledge and risk factors was 45%, for signs, symptoms, and complications was 48%, and for protective factors and dietary considerations was 44%. Twenty-nine participants (8%) reported a diagnosis of gout. Conclusion: The findings suggest that knowledge and awareness about gout are considerably inadequate within the Saudi community. There is a limited understanding of the risk factors, symptoms, complications, and preventive measures associated with gout. Additionally, the prevalence of gout among the study group was 8%. Targeted educational interventions focusing on dietary restrictions and disease management are needed, particularly for individuals diagnosed with gout.