Figure 2. Association Between Cardiovascular Event and Recent Prior Gout Flare in a Nested Case-Control Study.

^aFor case patients, indicates days before the cardiovascular event; for controls, indicates days before the index date (counted from 0 as the event date or index date).

^bCase patients are individuals with cardiovascular events (defined as the first occurrence of acute myocardial infarction or a stroke after gout diagnosis).

^cControls are matched individuals with gout but without a cardiovascular event after diagnosis of gout.

^dIncludes matching variables (age, sex and disease duration).

^eIndicates the reference category.

^fIncludes model 1 variables plus demographics, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol intake status, and English Index of Multiple Deprivation.

^gIncludes variables from models 1 and 2 plus comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, hypercholesterolemia), number of hospitalizations in the previous year, number of primary care consultations in the previous year, and European Society of Cardiology individual cardiovascular risk, prescription of antiplatelets, statins, urate-lowering therapy, diuretics, and antihypertensives. Prescriptions were categorized as current (≤60 days), past (>60 days), or not prescribed prior to the cardiovascular event date or matched index date.

^hIncludes variables from models 1, 2, and 3 plus prescription of medications used for treating gout flares (colchicine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids). Prescriptions were categorized as current (≤60 days), past (>60 days), or not prescribed prior to the cardiovascular event date or matched index date.

OR indicates odds ratio.