Gout is one of the most common inflammatory joint diseases and presents a significant burden for many people in Australia. There are several gaps between evidence and practice that need to be addressed to improve the management of these patients.^3,4

These evidence–practice gaps stem from several factors, including updated management recommendations, limited time for clinicians to educate patients on medications, deprioritising gout compared with other coexisting conditions, and enduring myths that perpetuate the stigma surrounding gout (see figure 1).

Poor control is worsened when patients have negative views of urate-lowering therapy (ULT) following gout flares with treatment initiation. Early education and setting expectations about appropriate use of prophylaxis can effectively combat this.

Gout has always faced significant misconceptions and stigmatisations, which have in turn affected health professionals’ perceptions and management.