Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO0294

Stage-Specific Gout Prevalence and Correlates Among US Veterans with CKD

Session Information

• CKD: Omics, Systemic Stressors, and Targeted Pharmacotherapy
  October 23, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)

• 2201 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Authors

• Good, Mary K., Iowa City VA Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Mary K. Good, PhD

• Yamada, Masaaki, Iowa City VA Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Masaaki Yamada, MD, FASN

• Gao, Yubo, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Yubo Gao, PhD

• Swee, Melissa L., Iowa City VA Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Melissa L. Swee, MD, MS, FASN

• Sarrazin, Mary Vaughan, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Mary Vaughan Sarrazin, PhD

• Jalal, Diana I., Iowa City VA Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Diana I. Jalal, MD, FASN

Background

Gout is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and contributes to symptom burden and health care use, particularly as kidney function declines and comorbidities accumulate. Despite its clinical importance in CKD, contemporary stage-specific prevalence estimates and associated clinical factors among US Veterans remain poorly characterized.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of US Veterans with CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] 15–59 mL/min/1.73 m²; N=319,387) in 2023–2024. Prevalent gout was identified using ICD-10 diagnostic codes from national VA administrative data. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics by gout status in bivariable analyses and used multivariable logistic regression to identify independent associations with gout prevalence.

Results

Overall gout prevalence among Veterans with CKD was 8.1%. Prevalence by CKD stage was 8.0% in stage 3A, 7.8% in stage 3B, and 10.1% in stage 4. Compared with Veterans without gout, those with gout were older (mean 65 vs 63 years), more likely to be male (98% vs 92%), and had a higher body mass index (BMI; 31 vs 30 kg/m²). Comorbidities were also more common among Veterans with gout, including hypertension (88% vs 72%), diabetes (49% vs 43%), cardiovascular disease (23% vs 13%), and liver disease (8% vs. 6%). In adjusted analyses (Table 1), factors associated with higher odds of prevalent gout included advanced CKD, older age, male sex, Black race, Pacific Islander race, obesity, hypertension, heart failure, and liver disease.

Conclusion

Gout affected approximately 1 in 12 Veterans with CKD and was most prevalent in stage 4 disease. The observed comorbidity clustering supports targeted risk stratification (CKD stage, demographics, obesity, and cardiometabolic disease) and integrated CKD-gout management in nephrology, including proactive case-finding and coordinated monitoring.

Funding

• Veterans Affairs Support