Gout PDF Media

Seasonal Gout: Spring (April)

Seasonal variation in the onset of acute microcrystalline arthritis. Oct 1999. Gallerani M et al. Statistical evaluation of the incidence of gout and pseudogout in an Italian hospital. Gout was most prevalent in April and least prevalent in October. They found no significant seasonal variation in pseudogout.

Urate Crystal Promoters & Albumin Inhibitor

Growth of monosodium urate monohydrate crystals: effect of cartilage and synovial fluid components on in vitro growth rates. Oct 1986. Burt HM, Dutt YC. This study shows that Chondroitin sulphate and phosphatidylcholine increased the growth rate of uric acid crystals whilst albumin significantly inhibited crystallization. The authors admit that further work is needed to isolate other factors.

Anti-inflammatory Herbs

Reduction of urate crystal-induced inflammation by root extracts from traditional oriental medicinal plants: elevation of prostaglandin D2 levels. July 2007, Sung Mun Jung et al. Traditional Chinese herbal root extracts of Siberian Ginseng, Dong Quai (Chinese Angelica), and Baikal Skullcap, reduced the inflammatory immune response to urate crystals in mice.

Though this investigation deals with artificially induced gout in mice, the researchers anticipate it could be effective in dealing with the joint inflammation processes in human gouty arthritis.

Genetic Gout

Meta-Analysis of 28,141 Individuals Identifies Common Variants within Five New Loci That Influence Uric Acid Concentrations. June 2009, Melanie Kolz et al. This analysis of 14 studies reveals strong genetic influences on excess uric acid. 9 potential genetic weaknesses could be studied further for potential new treatments.

Urate Crystals Gout

Studies of urate crystallisation in relation to gout. Aug 1983. Fiddis RW et al. Laboratory studies of uric acid crystals confirm that temperature increase improves uric acid solubility. They claim that crystals form very slowly, though dissolve quickly when concentrations fall. However, they conclude that much more real life investigation is required to understand how the crystallization process can be halted in the body as compared to the test tube.

Lower Uric Acid Gives Faster Gout Cure

Effect of Urate-Lowering Therapy on the Velocity of Size Reduction of Tophi in Chronic Gout. Aug 2002 Perez-Ruiz et al. This study of 63 gouty patients explodes the myth that a standard 300mg dose of allopurinol is adequate: “There is much more to the therapy of hyperuricemia than simply prescribing 300 mg/day of allopurinol. How much? As much as necessary to obtain low serum urate levels.” It shows that urate deposits will dissolve when uric acid is reduced below 7 mg/dL (0.42 mmol/L), but they dissolve about 4 times faster with urc acid levels below 4 mg/dL (0.24 mmol/L).

If you are taking allopurinol for gout, this shows how important it is to regularly discuss the right dosage with your doctor.

Alopurinol

Alopurinol Patient Information File Details

Patient information on allopurinol from the Australian Rheumatology Association. May 2009 (reviewed annually)

Allopurinol Side Effects Alcohol

Please note that this information contains recommendations about limiting alcohol to 1 to 2 drinks, once or twice a week. There is no background to this information about allopurinol and alcohol, therefore it is difficult to judge how important this is.

Allopurinol During Gout Attack

This allopurinol patient information clarifies the misunderstanding about taking allopurinol during an acute gout attack. Even some doctors are unsure, hence Jenny’s cry for help: Doc says to stop allopurinol due to gout flare?? HELP!

As the patient information makes clear:

You should also continue to take it during an attack of gout.