DEMOGRAPHIC AND ETIOLOGIC INVESTIGATION OF GOUT ARTHRITIS CASES IN THE KARS REGION, A COMPARATIVE RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Gout arthritis is a very common rheumatic disorder. The hyperuricemia develops due to increased serum uric acid synthesis and/or decreased renal excretion.
 Material and Method: This study was conducted after permission was obtained from the Kafkas University Ethics Committee (KAU-26-06-2018-09). We included patients who presented to the Kars Harakani State Hospital and the Kafkas University Faculty of Medicine Orthopedics and Traumatology outpatient department between May 2012 and December 2018 and were diagnosed with gout arthritis into the study. The patients were divided into two groups as Group I (n:87) consisting of patients who received Allopurinol (Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitor) at a dose of 100 mg 1x1 po for 4 weeks together with a purine-poor diet (provided as a list) and Group II (n:77) consisting of patients recommended abundant water consumption (2 lt/day), decreased tea consumption, increased milk and dairy products consumption and a purine-poor diet (given as a list) without the administration of any drugs. Both groups were called 4 weeks later for clinical follow-up and they underwent a physical examination and laboratory evaluations at the outpatient department. Treatment protocols were evaluated comparatively according to the uric acid levels and physical examination findings.
 RESULTS: Group I received a xanthine oxidase inhibitor + purine-poor diet and consisted of 5 female and 19 male patients aged 18-60 years and 17 female and 46 male patients aged 60 and over. Group II received optimal Hydration + milk and dairy products + purine-poor diet and consisted of 24 females and 53 males aged 60 and over without any patients in the 18-60 years age group. Pretreatment uric acid levels and posttreatment 4th week uric acid levels were compared.
 CONCLUSION: In addition to gout arthritis treatment with drugs, it is possible to treat these patients without giving any drugs by increasing the consumption of milk and dairy products together with optimal hydration.
 Key Words: Gout arthritis, Xanthine oxidase inhibitor, optimal hydration, Milk