Inflammatory Arthritis Center Focuses on Education for Gout Patients he Inflammatory Arthritis Center (IAC) at
T
in the study provided feedback that they saved
is needed to not only manage gout, but to manage
HSS is committed to improving the lives of
time due to nurses providing extensive education.
these additional problems.
people with inflammatory arthritis through
They also believed their patients were able to better
“It is important to note that diet alone will not ‘cure’
individualized, high-quality patient care, including
manage their gout.
most people with gout and that you still need med-
education. One of the diseases treated by physicians
Further, to bring this essential disease-specific
ication,” said Dr. Fields. “It is an integrative approach.”
at the Center is gout.
information to a larger patient population, a gout
Symptoms, causes and treatment of gout are
More than 8.3 million individuals in the US have
symposium was held last spring to discuss treatment
complicated and it is difficult for a physician to fully
gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis that results
plans and goals, as well as answer any questions
explain during a brief medical visit. Having the oppor-
from an excess of uric acid in the blood. Gout,
patients might have about the disease.
tunity to hear from healthcare providers in person at
which in most cases is genetic, causes severe joint
As a first step, Adena Batterman, MSW, LCSW,
the symposium was extremely beneficial to patients.
inflammation most commonly located at the base
Senior Manager, Inflammatory Arthritis Support
of the big toe, which can be extremely painful.
The gout symposium was part of a larger mission
and Education Programs, Department of Social Work
Patients with gout often experience attacks, or
for the IAC to further develop a strong patient
Programs, developed a needs assessment that was
periods of inflammation, that can become worse
education initiative. Last fall, a symposium was held
administered to 100 gout patients. The goal was to
and more frequent over time.
on rheumatoid arthritis, and in May, another will
discover their specific needs for assistance and
take place on ankylosing spondylitis. All of these
At HSS, our rheumatologists see patients with gout
support in managing their illness. The results of this
events, in collaboration with the Department of
daily to help diagnose, treat and manage the disease.
assessment helped inform the curriculum of the
Education and Academic Affairs, are also taped
Theodore R. Fields, MD, FACP, Attending Physician
gout symposium and were also presented at the
and will be available on demand in an online patient
and Clinical Director of the Early Arthritis Initiative,
American College of Rheumatology 2016 Annual
education library.
part of the IAC, specializes in the treatment of gout
Scientific Meeting.
at HSS.
At the symposium, Dr. Fields addressed patients to
education and support to our patients through
“One of the biggest challenges we see with gout
discuss disease background, causes, diagnosis and
events like the gout symposium and others,” said
patients is that in between attacks they tend to feel
treatment. He emphasized the importance of finding
Dr. Fields. “These educational components help
good,” said Dr. Fields. “Because of this, it is a challenge
a medication plan that works best for each individual
solidify our focus on providing the highest quality
to get patients to stay on their medication. When
and of staying on that plan, even when attacks are
care to our patients with inflammatory arthritis.”
talking about gout, we use the word ‘cure’ because
under control.
we can get patients to be gout free if they get on
In addition, Dana Pitman, MS,
and stay on the right medication.”
RD, CDN, Clinical Nutritionist I,
To help improve care of patients with gout and
spoke about dietary triggers for
encourage them to stay on their medication,
gout. There is a lot of misinforma-
Dr. Fields developed a study of a multidisciplinary
tion about diet for gout patients,
group committed to educating and monitoring new
and it is important for them to
HSS patients with gout for one year. During the study,
understand how diet affects
which was published in October 2016, patients
attacks. Many gout patients
were given an exam to test their knowledge on gout.
tend to have other associated
After the test, nurses spent time educating patients.
conditions, such as diabetes,
Additionally, pharmacists called patients monthly to
kidney problems, obesity or
make sure they were staying on their medication
high cholesterol, so it is crucial
and to answer any questions. Physicians with patients
to understand what type of diet
“It is crucial that we provide the best possible
An infographic available on HSS.edu provides patients with information on gout. A section of that infographic is shown here.
New Medical Staff Dorothy A. Fink, MD Dorothy A. Fink, MD, is an Assistant Attending Physician at Hospital for Special Surgery specializing in endocrinology with a focus on bone health, women’s reproductive health and perioperative diabetes management. After receiving her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine, Dr. Fink completed a combined residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She trained as a fellow in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at Columbia University Medical Center. During her fellowship, Dr. Fink worked as a women’s health scholar at the Center for Menopause, Hormonal Disorders and Women’s Health. Dr. Fink is a nationally certified menopause practitioner with a focus on metabolic bone disease. She works with adolescents and young adults to attain peak bone mass. As a former ballet dancer herself, Dr. Fink treats dancers with irregular menstrual cycles and fractures. She also works with the preoperative diabetes team to optimize glucose control for patients prior to surgery.
5