The relationship between psychosocial behavior and the quality of life of male gout patients in southwest china: a cross-sectional study based on an information-motivation-behavioral skills model

Abstract Background The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of gout patients is poor, and studies have shown that providing psychosocial behaviors interventions can improve the HRQoL of gout patients, but there is no cross-sectional study on whether psychosocial behaviors affect the HRQoL of gout patients. Methods For this cross-sectional study, 225 male patients with gout were enrolled. HRQoL was assessed using the gout impact scale, and the gout knowledge questionnaire was used to assess patients´ degree of knowledge about the disease. The positive psycap questionnaire was used to assess positive psychological capacity and finally, the gout patient self-management assessment scale was used to assess self-management behaviors. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the factors affecting HRQoL in gout patients. Results The overall mean gout impact scale score was 52.7 (maximum possible = 100). Factors associated with the total gout impact scale score were tophi (β = 4.746), pain intensity (β = 1.294), and resiliency (β=-0.559). In addition, demographic characteristics (education level, smoking and marital status), clinical characteristics (tophi, pain intensity, number of attacks over 6 months, and number of affected joints) and psychosocial behavior variables (resiliency, hope, disease treatment management, diet management) were associated with several dimensions of the gout impact scale. Conclusions The HRQoL of male gout patients in Southwest China was assessed as at a medium level. We found that clinical characteristics and psychosocial behaviors are important factors affecting the HRQoL in men with gout, and should be the focus for interventions.