Data on ULORIC treatment for gout flares presented at the 73rd American College of Rheumatology meeting

Oct 20 2009

Additional analysis showed that reduction and long-term maintenance of normal serum urate levels also reduced risk of future gout flares

Data presented at the 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology highlight effects of baseline characteristics on achievement of serum uric acid (sUA) levels to <6.0 mg/dL and the frequency of flares with ULORIC- (febuxostat) treatment.

A subset of subjects from the CONFIRMS trial who received prior urate-lowering therapy for up to five years achieved sUA <6.0 mg/dL more often, and had a lower rate of acute gout flares than patients who had not received prior long-term urate-lowering therapy.

According to Michael Becker, M.D., professor emeritus of medicine, rheumatology section, The University of Chicago School of Medicine, gout associated with hyperuricemia is a chronic condition that requires long-term management. "One of the hallmarks of gout is the painful and disabling acute flare of arthritis that patients experience. The results of the CONFIRMS trial suggest that by achieving and maintaining sUA <6.0 mg/dL over time the risk of future gout flares can be diminished."