Gout (cont.)
What does the future hold for patients with gout and hyperuricemia?
Active research is ongoing in a variety of fields related to gout and hyperuricemia. The management of the chronic gouty disease and its relationship to improving blood pressure and kidney function is becoming better defined.
Scientists recently reported that high animal protein intake slightly increased the risk for gout. Others found that dietary calcium intake may protect patients from getting gout attacks.
New medications to increase the elimination of uric acid in the urine (such as benzbromarone) and lower uric acid blood levels (such as PEG-uricase) are being evaluated in clinical trials. Researchers are also reporting on experimental drugs that can affect the chemical messengers involved in gouty inflammation.
The optimal regimens for the treatment of acute gout attacks and chronic gout conditions still require further long-term studies. Research scientists will continue to develop less toxic and more effective medications to battle this "scourge of the ages."
- Painful gouty arthritis is caused by uric acid
crystal deposits in joint tissue.
- The tendency to develop gout and elevated blood uric acid level (hyperuricemia) is often inherited.
- Gout and hyperuricemia are aggravated by obesity,
weight gain, alcohol intake, high blood pressure, abnormal kidney function,
and certain medications.
- Gouty arthritis attacks can be precipitated by
dehydration, injury, fever, heavy eating, heavy alcohol consumption, and
recent trauma or surgery.
- The most reliable diagnostic test for gout is the
identification of crystals in joints, body fluids, and tissues.
- The treatment of an attack of gouty
arthritis is different than the treatment of
hyperuricemia. There are two key concepts essential to treating gout. First, it is critical to stop acute inflammation of joints affected by gouty arthritis. Second, it is important to address the long-term management of the gout disease in order to prevent future gout arthritis attacks and shrink gouty tophi crystal deposits.
References:
Primer on the Rheumatic Diseases. Springer, edited by John H. Klippel, et al., 2008.
Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology, W B Saunders Co, edited by Shaun Ruddy, et al., 2000.
Last Editorial Review: 2/23/2009
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