Using Gout Buddy to Enhance Gout Management

Background: Dietary management is crucial for gout, but patients often lack adequate dietary literacy. However, patients often lack adequate dietary literacy and struggle to navigate complex dietary recommendations. Gout Buddy is an autonomous AI agent to offer personalized gout education and awareness tailored to individual needs. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and user experience of Gout Buddy, in improving dietary literacy and gout management. Materials and methods: A two-arm RCT will randomize patients with gout to either the intervention (Gout Buddy) or control (standard care). Two study visits within 3-6 months will assess changes in dietary literacy and gout management behaviours. Qualitative interviews will be conducted with intervention arm participants and multidisciplinary care team members to explore their experiences with Gout Buddy till the point of data saturation. Expected Outcomes: The current trial is expected to demonstrate the effectiveness of Gout Buddy in improving dietary literacy and gout management compared to standard care. Qualitative data will provide rich insights into user engagement, perceived benefits, challenges, and the feasibility of integrating the chatbot into routine gout management. Significance: This study will provide evidence on the potential of AI chatbots to enhance gout self-management. The findings will inform the development and implementation of digital health tools for chronic disease management, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of gout.