Saturday, January 12, 2013

Chronic gouty arthritis

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Gout - chronic; Gouty arthritis - chronic


Treatment

Chronic gouty arthritis is treated with drugs like probenecid or sulfinpyrazone, which reduce uric acid levels. Another approach is to use allopurinol, which blocks the enzyme that produces uric acid. Patients should drink plenty of water or other fluids to reduce the risk of kidney complications.

Colchicine can be added to prevent further acute attacks. This drug can be discontinued when uric acid levels are stable (usually after 3 months), but it can also be continued at low doses to help prevent further attacks.


Support Groups

For additional information and resources, see arthritis resources.


Expectations (prognosis)

Symptoms are generally worse in people who develop the disease before age 30.


Complications
  • Kidney stones
  • Kidney failure
  • Joint deformities
  • Loss of mobility (patient becomes bedridden), rare

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if symptoms of chronic gouty arthritis develop.


Review Date: 08/02/2005
Reviewed By: Ariel D. Teitel, M.D., M.B.A., Chief, Division of Rheumatology, St. Vincent's Hospital, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)