Abstract: Objective To identify the clinical characteristics of patients with fever caused by acute attack of gout. Methods The clinical data of patients with fever caused by acute attacks of gout admitted to the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 2014 to December 2019 were analyzed and compared with that of non-fever gout patients during the same period. Results Among a total of 366 gout patients, 50 patients(13.7%) with fever were caused by acute gout attacks. Among patients in the fever group, the peak age distribution is 30-40 years old. In terms of fever, most patients had low fever. In comparison of clinical characteristics, patients in the fever group had a relatively longer course of disease, more case of total articular involvement, and more frequent gout episodes in the past year (P＜0.05). In terms of inflammatory response, patients in the fever group had higher white blood cell count (P＜0.05), higher proportion of neutrophils(P＜0.01), and higher level of C-reactive protein (CRP) (P＜0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender, age of onset, body mass index (BMI), tophi, history of alcohol drinking, family history of gout, blood uric acid level, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Conclusions The fever caused by acute gout attacks is mainly low fever. These patients have a relatively longer course of disease, more case of total articular involvement, and more gout frequent episodes in the past year, and stronger more inflammatory reactions.

Key words: gout, fever, inflammation