Management of gout: Primary care approach

Great strides have been made in understanding gout as a disease over the centuries. Despite these advances, reports suggest that the management of gout is relatively sub-optimal at the primary care level. This article reviews important considerations in the management of gout and provides an evidenc...

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Main Authors: Olufemi Omole, Gboyega A. Ogunbanjo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2009-12-01
Series:South African Family Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1453
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author Olufemi Omole
Gboyega A. Ogunbanjo
author_facet Olufemi Omole
Gboyega A. Ogunbanjo
author_sort Olufemi Omole
collection DOAJ
description Great strides have been made in understanding gout as a disease over the centuries. Despite these advances, reports suggest that the management of gout is relatively sub-optimal at the primary care level. This article reviews important considerations in the management of gout and provides an evidence-based approach for the management of acute and chronic gouty arthritis in primary care. Recurrent monoarticular pain and swelling should raise the suspicion of gout and demonstration of urate crystals in synovial fluid during a clinical episode confirms the diagnosis. Acute gouty attacks should be managed with appropriate doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or colchicines or steroids. Recurrent attacks of gout, presence of tophi and urate stones necessitate urate lowering drugs. Prophylactic anti-inflammatory agents for up to 6 months should be added at initiation of urate lowering therapy to reduce flares of acute attacks. Gout management requires life-long commitment and adherence to lifestyle modification and treatment improve clinical outcomes.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2009-12-01
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series South African Family Practice
spelling doaj-art-6b6f313996594eb196ee3ab6f0c71a912025-08-20T03:47:10ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042009-12-0151610.1080/20786204.2009.108739061166Management of gout: Primary care approachOlufemi Omole0Gboyega A. Ogunbanjo1University of the WitwatersrandUniversity of LimpopoGreat strides have been made in understanding gout as a disease over the centuries. Despite these advances, reports suggest that the management of gout is relatively sub-optimal at the primary care level. This article reviews important considerations in the management of gout and provides an evidence-based approach for the management of acute and chronic gouty arthritis in primary care. Recurrent monoarticular pain and swelling should raise the suspicion of gout and demonstration of urate crystals in synovial fluid during a clinical episode confirms the diagnosis. Acute gouty attacks should be managed with appropriate doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or colchicines or steroids. Recurrent attacks of gout, presence of tophi and urate stones necessitate urate lowering drugs. Prophylactic anti-inflammatory agents for up to 6 months should be added at initiation of urate lowering therapy to reduce flares of acute attacks. Gout management requires life-long commitment and adherence to lifestyle modification and treatment improve clinical outcomes.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1453goutmanagementprimary careanti-inflammatory agents
spellingShingle Olufemi Omole
Gboyega A. Ogunbanjo
Management of gout: Primary care approach
South African Family Practice
gout
management
primary care
anti-inflammatory agents
title Management of gout: Primary care approach
title_full Management of gout: Primary care approach
title_fullStr Management of gout: Primary care approach
title_full_unstemmed Management of gout: Primary care approach
title_short Management of gout: Primary care approach
title_sort management of gout primary care approach
topic gout
management
primary care
anti-inflammatory agents
url https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1453
work_keys_str_mv AT olufemiomole managementofgoutprimarycareapproach
AT gboyegaaogunbanjo managementofgoutprimarycareapproach