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Objective: To determine whether the prevalence of gout and/or clinically significant hyperuricemia increased in a managed care population over 10 years., Methods: The study was a descriptive analysis utilizing an administrative claims database to ascertain 10-year trends in prevalence of gout and/or hyperuricemia. Prevalence rates were calculated cross-sectionally for each year (1990-99) and expressed/compared as rates per 1000 enrollees., Results: The prevalence of gout and/or hyperuricemia in the overall population increased by about 2 cases per 1000 enrollees over 10 years. In the > 75 year age group, rates increased from 21 per 1000 persons in 1990 to 41 per 1000 in 1999. In the 65-74 year age group, prevalence increased from between 21 and 24 per 1000 persons in the years 1990-92 to over 31 per 1000 during the years 1997-99. Prevalence rates in younger age groups (< 65 years) stayed consistently low during the years under study. There were sex differences in most age groups, with men having the greater burden of disease at every time point., Conclusion: Prevalence of gout and/or hyperuricemia in the overall study population increased during the 10-year period. When stratified by age, there were increases in prevalence among groups over age 65 in both sexes. Although gout prevalence increased in both sexes over the 10-year period, men still had most of the burden of disease. In ages younger than 65, men had 4 times higher prevalence than women (4:1 ratio), but in the older age groups (> 65), the gender gap narrowed to 1 woman to every 3 men with gout and/or hyperuricemia (3:1 ratio).

A prospective analysis of 60 patients with gout was undertaken to evaluate the radiographic spectrum of gouty arthritis in patients treated in the era of hypouricemic therapy. Twenty-two of these patients were clinically tophaceous; 36 were considered to have radiographic findings diagnostic of gouty arthritis by strict radiographic criteria. Up to 24% of the patients denied symptoms in joints with radiographic changes of gout; 42% with no evidence of tophi on clinical examination had radiographic changes characteristic of gout. Radiographic assessment can be extremely helpful in the management of gout by documenting the degree and extent of bony involvement, particularly in patients with limited symptoms or without clinical tophi.

The antihyperuricemic properties of amflutizole were investigated in studies designed to determine its efficacy and mechanisms of action in individuals with gout and hyperuricemia. In a randomized double blind, multiple dose, crossover study of 29 patients, amflutizole caused a significant dose dependent reduction in serum urate concentrations. Mean serum urate concentrations decreased significantly from 9.6 +/- 1.5 mg/dl to 7.2 +/- 1.3 mg/dl with the 500 mg dosage (p less than 0.01). Detailed studies in 5 patients demonstrated evidence for modest xanthine oxidase inhibition. However, the majority of the antihyperuricemic effect was derived from an enhanced renal clearance of uric acid. Although the drug has significant antihyperuricemic properties, these were inadequate to achieve adequate control of the serum urate concentration in hyperuricemia and gout at the doses utilized.

An acute attack of gouty arthritis is one of the most painful experiences reported throughout medical history. Therefore it is paramount to initiate appropriate therapy quickly in order to terminate the acute phase. This goal can be achieved with non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory agents, colchicine, or corticosteroid‐based therapies. Rarely, because of contraindications to these agents, only symptomatic treatment can be given until the attack subsides. The next step is to lower the serum urate level below the limit of solubility (i.e., below 40.8 mmol/L, or 6.8mg/dL) which reduces recurrences and begins to return the total body urate pool to normal. This equally important goal can be achieved by uricosuric agents or xanthine oxidase inhibitors, although the latter is generally favored. Allopurinol is the agent most commonly preferred because of its safety profile and ease of use, but there are known serious allergic reactions and untoward side effects that occasionally require discontinuation. Febuxostat, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, and pegylated uricase are new agents under development and may be beneficial in these situations or when other comorbid conditions prevent the use of conventional treatments. Alcohol and dietary consumption are also related to hyperuricemia and acute gout. Recently beer, wine, and liquor were studied and the risk of gout varied according to the alcohol ingested. Furthermore, recent data sheds light on important dietary modifications that may help in the treatment of gout, and dispels certain beliefs about protein ingestion and the occurrence of acute gout. As we learn more about the associated conditions of hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, and the metabolic syndrome, it may allow the tailoring of medical regimens that directly prevent or reduce recurrent attacks of gouty arthritis. There are specific approved treatments for these common comorbidities that have parallel effects of lowering serum urate levels. These recent findings may be especially important for treating refractory cases. While patient education remains a cornerstone to ensure compliance, other quality indicators for the management of this disease have been reported and should guide the clinician in the treatment of gout and result in improved care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]