WITHDRAWN: Diagnosis of Gout is not Associated with Growth of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Abstract Introduction Gout is a systemic inflammatory disease which has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events but its association with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of gout with growth of small AAA. Methods Patients with initial AAA diameter measuring 30-54mm were recruited from surveillance programs at four Australian centres. Maximum AAA diameter was measured with a standardised and reproducible protocol to monitor AAA growth. Presence of gout was defined by clinical diagnosis by clinician or prescription of medications used to treat gout. Linear mixed effects modelling was performed to examine the independent association of gout with AAA growth. Results A total of 637 participants, including 66 (10.3%) diagnosed with gout, received a median of 4 (Inter-quartile range (IQR): 3, 6) scans over a median follow-up of 1.8 (IQR: 1.0, 3.0) years. In unadjusted analyses, participants with diagnosis of gout had a slower mean annual AAA growth of -0.3 mm/year (95% CI: -0.7, 0.2; p=0.25) than those without gout. After adjusting for potential confounders including initial AAA diameter, body mass index, prior stroke and anti-hypertensive medication prescription, gout was not significantly associated with AAA growth (-0.3 mm/year; 95% CI: -0.7, 0.2; p=0.24). Sensitivity analyses investigating the impact of initial AAA diameter on the association of gout with AAA growth found no interaction. Conclusion This study suggests diagnosis of gout is not associated with growth of small AAA.