The study aims to identify which characteristics are associated with disability and poor quality of life in patients suffering from gout. This is a multicentre prospective observational study carried out in a cohort of Italian patients with gout. Subjects are randomly selected from a list of patients referred to each participant rheumatology clinic in the previous 2 years. Clinical evaluations are performed at baseline, at 6 and 12 months; data are retrieved about sociodemographic variables, life-styles, history of gout, comorbidities and patterns of treatment. At each visit patients complete questionnaires assessing disability and health-related quality of life. Preplanned analyses will be performed to investigate predictors of disability and poor quality of life in these patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of gout
• Must be able to understand questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis not validated by rheumatologist
• Not able to sign informed consent

Patients referring to rheumatologic clinics