We all want gout relief, but sometimes we don't know which treatment is best.
Scientists have struggled for decades to prove that one gout treatment is better than another.
Now gout researchers have a foolproof way to test for gout pain improvements.
This brings 2 benefits:
Very helpful in developing better gout treatments.
Immediate help to assess gout sufferers progress.
Help Develop Better Gout Treatments
In many research projects, particularly clinical trials, scientists have struggled to identify benefits in a comparable way.
W J Taylor and colleagues have shown that a standard questionnaire, HAQ-DI (Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index) is a sound measure of the affects of gout.
They have published their findings in Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology. The title of their report, "The Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index is a valid measure of physical function in gout" says it all.
Clinical evaluation of gout sufferers compared well with the HAQ-DI scores. They also noted that:
A strong relationship between days of sick leave and HAQ-DI was observed in gout patients.
HAQ-DI has good construct and internal validity in gout
makes future gout research and drug trials easier to assess.
Immediate Gout Sufferer Benefits
The best part of this research is the news that gout sufferers can use this tool themselves as a way to assess their gout. This is a great way to track your progress with any gout remedies you may be trying. It also allows you to compare different gout therapies to assess their relative improvements.
Have you tried this questionnaire yet? Download it by clicking the link above, then discuss your results in the gout relief forum.
Gout Relief Measurement Page Created: 26th September 2008 - Last Reviewed: 17th March 2009