Effective gout care requires careful management of serum uric acid levels to <6 mg/dL. When serum uric acid levels are actively managed, gout attacks can be prevented. Unfortunately, many physicians do not regularly measure uric acid levels. Dr. Choi emphasized that this measurement is basic to the care of patients with gout. Patients should also be educated about gout management and told that gout is a curable condition. Personalized lifestyle advice can further mitigate disease burden and can include suggestions on obesity, alcohol use, fructose consumption and the consumption of purine-rich fatty foods. When educated properly, patients are likely to demonstrate drug adherence and have fewer gout flares.
Lara C. Pullen, PhD, is a medical writer based in the Chicago area.
References
- Lim SY, Lu N, Oza A, et al. Trends in gout and rheumatoid arthritis hospitalizations in the United States, 1993–2011. 2016 Jun 7;315(21):2345-7. doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.3517.
- Zhu Y1, Pandya BJ, Choi HK. Prevalence of gout and hyperuricemia in the U.S. general population: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2008. Arthritis Rheum. 2011 Oct;63(10):3136–3141. doi: 10.1002/art.30520.
