Prophylaxis of Acute Arthritis at Initiation of Urate-Lowering Therapy in Gout Patients

Abstract

During the first months after the initiation of urate-lowering therapy in gout patients, the risk of exacerbation of arthritis considerably rises, which often results in discontinuation of the prescribed therapy by patients. The main way to avoid this risk is preventive prescription of colchicine, NSAIDs or glucocorticoids. Such prophylaxis of acute arthritis has been specified in a large number of the latest editions of various national and international guidelines; however, this tactics is rarely used in practice. The chapter includes the most significant studies on this problem.