Aim: To systematically investigate the quality of reporting of published interventional animal studies in experimental rheumatology.Methods: Original scientific publications in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (ARD) and Arthritis and Rheumatism (A&R) from January to December 2012 were identified. Studies were included if they used animal experimental model(s) and involved a treatment intervention. Data were extracted regarding disease type, animal model, intervention type and funding. Each study was assessed for quality of reporting, using the ARRIVE guidelines as a checklist.Results: Forty-one studies (15 ARD, 26 A&R) were analyzed. Ethics approval was not reported or unclear in 22%. Randomization was not reported or unclear in 82.9% of the papers. Only 19.5% and 9.8% of papers reported attrition rate and important adverse events, respectively. Sample size calculation or allocation method was not reported in any paper. Only one study published negative results. Conclusion:A number of key study design principles are poorly reported in experimental animal research investigating potential treatments in rheumatology. We support the widespread implementation of the ARRIVE guidelines in the rheumatology literature to promote the publication of manuscripts that allow rigorous appraisal of scientific quality.

ABSTRACT:Background:Despite gout and hyperuricaemia being major co-morbid health issues worldwide, there is a large epidemiological gap regarding their impact in the Australian community. Aims:To determine the prevalence and associations of self-reported medically diagnosed gout, and hyperuricaemia, in an Australian population-based cohort. Methods:The North West Adelaide Health Study (NWAHS) is a longitudinal cohort study consisting of three stages of data collection. Each stage comprised a self-complete questionnaire, clinic assessment and Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI). In Stage 3 (2008-2010) participants were asked if a doctor had ever diagnosed them with gout. Additional data included demographics, co-morbidities, laboratory data and SF-36. Participants were defined as having gout if they had self-reported medically diagnosed gout or were taking any gout specific medication (allopurinol, colchicine, probenecid). Hyperuricaemia was defined as a serum uric acid level >0.42mmol/L in men and >0.34mmol/L in women. Results:The overall prevalence of gout was 5.2%. Males were significantly more likely to have gout than females (8.5% vs 2.1%, p<0.001). The overall prevalence of hyperuricaemia was 16.6%, with being male again identified as a significant risk factor (17.8% vs 15.4%, p<0.01). Both gout and hyperuricaemia were associated with male sex, body mass index, and renal disease, after 2 multivariable adjustment. There was no significant difference reported in quality of life scores in gout participants, compared to unaffected individuals. Conclusion:In the South Australian population the prevalence of gout and hyperuricaemia is high. This study emphasises the need for optimal diagnosis and management of gout in Australia.

Gout is a common clinical problem encountered by both general and specialist clinicians. The key principles in gout management include establishing a definitive diagnosis, the swift treatment of acute attacks, and using urate-lowering therapies appropriately to prevent further attacks and joint damage. The gold standard diagnostic tool for gout remains the identification by polarised light microscopy of monosodium urate crystals in synovial fluid or in a tophus. Emerging diagnostic imaging techniques and novel therapies show promise in the diagnosis and treatment of gout. In most cases, using existing therapies judiciously remains the key determinant of success in managing gout.

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