Long-term management of gout

Abstract

Long-term management of gout comprises several aspects. Although in the short term, prophylaxis and treatment of acute episodes of inflammation are of great importance, the milestone for the long-term management of gout is targeted, sustained, and long-term control of hyperuricaemia. Treating to target subsaturating serum urate (SUA) levels, which may be initially dependent on the severity of the disease in the individual patient, is associated with a progressive reduction to no episodes of acute inflammation, regression and disappearance of subcutaneous and articular monosodium urate deposits and associated chronic inflammation, and improvement in patient-reported, health-related quality of life. Early and effective urate-lowering treatment to target levels will also prevent the development of structural damage. Urate-lowering treatment includes any measure intending to reduce SUA levels to target: lifestyle changes, modifications of concomitant medications favouring hyperuricaemia, and urate-lowering medications (ULMs). Availability of ULMs is variable worldwide, and prescription should be judicious, according to approved labels, and always considering associated health conditions and concomitant medications. Effectiveness and safety should be periodically monitored. Long-term treatment of gout still remains suboptimal in the twenty-first century. As practising clinicians, we cannot afford to neglect a ‘curable disease’.