Gout Flashcards
What is the causing factor for gout?
It is a disease resulting from the deposition of monosodium urate:
- Synovial fluids
- Tissues
- Kidney
What is the pathophysiology of gout?
Building block of monosodium urate, is uric acid
Uric acid the end product of purine metabolism
Some patients lack the uricase enzyme necessary to metabolize
Overproduction or under-excretion causes hyperuricemia (over 420micromol/L)
Solubility of uric acid decreases with lower temperatures (which is why gout affects joints in the extremities)
Is uric acid rapidly renally excreted?
No, it is slowly excreted (prevents crystalization of uric acid in the nephron)
What chronic condition is gout associated with?
Obesity (a lot of food rich in fat is metabolized into uric acid)
What are the four clinical phases of gout?
- Asymptomatic hyperuricemia
- Acute gouty arthritis
- Intercritical gout
- Chronic tophaceous gout
What are the characteristics of asymptomatic hyperuricemia?
Elevated uric acid levels (usually more than 420 micromol/L) with no symptoms
Less than 25% will actually develop gout (most do not require drug treatment)
What are some characteristics of acute gouty arthritis?
Caused by precipitation of uric acid crystals in joint space (90% of first attacks involve a single joint)
Symptoms:
- Pain
- Erthyema
- Limited range of motion
- Swelling of joint
What are some triggers for acute gouty arthritis?
Any activity that can rapidly changing uric acid:
Trauma or surgery
Starvation
Fatty food binge
Dehydration
Drugs (including those that lower urate)
What are some characteristics of intercritical gout?
Initial intercritical period can last 2 to 10 years before recurrence (protracted onset of disease)
Best time for patient education and implementation of lifestyle changes
What are some characteristics of chronic tophaceous gout?
Tophi are uric acid deposits
Uncommon in most patients
A late complication of hyperuricemia
Can develop on any site (common are the feet and hands)
What are the consequences of chronic tophaceous gout?
Joint deformity, destruction, pain
Surrounding tissue damaged
Compresses nerves
Nephrolitiasis and urate nephropathy
What are some complications associated with gout?
Nephrolithiasis (Occurs in 10-25% of people with gout, caused by excessive excretion of uric acid)
Urate nephropathy
How is a gout diagnosis made?
Baseline lab tests:
- CBC
- Urinalysis and SCr
- BUN
- Serum uric acid levels
Investigate comorbidities and risk factor
What is a way to confrim diagnosis?
Analysis of synovial fluid under microscope (visual inspection for uric acid crystals)
What are the goals of treatmenrt for gout?
- Terminate an acute attack
- Prevent recurrent attacks
- Prevent long-term complications
- Treat modiable risk factors
What are the three categories of gout treatment?
- Lifestyle modification (dietary changes)
- Acute attack drugs (flare management)
- Preventative drugs (prophylaxis)
When should non-pharmacologic treatment be used alone?
Only be implemented during asymptomatic or inter-critical period
- Regular exercise and weight loss (sufficient in most patients, no significant need to actively cut out purine-rich food)
- Hydration
What are some examples of purine-rich food that should be avoided in gout patients?
Alcohol
Turkey
Veal
Bacon
Liver
High fructose of corn syrup
What are the four options for acute gout flare management?
- NSAIDs
- Corticosteroids
- Colchicine
- Combinations
Is there a clinical reason for why indomethacin is a commonly prescribed NSAID for gout?
Not really
It is used because it was first used in gout. It has similar efficacy to other NSAIDs, but increased CNS effects
What are some administration instructions for NSAIDs in gout treatment?
- Use high doses for first 24-72 hours, then find lowest effective dose
- Usual NSAIDs precautions apply
- May be used in combination with other acute options
- Consider adding GI protection (PPIs)
What is a common Naproxen dose for gout flare management?
500mg TID from Day 1 to 3
250-500mg BID from Day 4 to 6
Then stop Naproxen (do not abruptly stop Naproxen after Day 3, can cause relapse)
What is the efficacy of NSAIDs in gout treatment?
Will significantly reduce symptoms in majority of patients
Speeds resolution
Likely comparable in efficacy to corticosteroids and colchicine
More ADRs than corticosteroids, but less than colchicine
What is the role of corticosteroids in gout flare management?
An alternative first-line choice
Prednisone is most commonly used (can be given PO, intra-articular, IV, or IM)
How is prednisone dosed in gout flare management?
25-50mg OD for 3-5 days
Short term course for first few flares (no taper required)
For longer course, we taper down due to concerns about relapse when stopping corticosteroids abrupty)
What is the preferred method of administering corticosteroids?
Intra-articular steroid injection (especially if only 1 or 2 affected joints)
It works faster and with less side effects than other options (locally acting)
When is corticosteroid therapy cautioned?
- Flare accompanied by fever, chills or other systemic symptoms
- Diabetic
- Excessice previous use of steroids
What is the onset of action for colchicine?
Should only be initiated if within 24h of flare
May abort attack within 2-3 days
Significant improvement in 24 h
What is the optimal dosing strategy for colchicine?
Day 1: Give 1.2mg, then 0.6mg in 1 hour
Following days: 0.6mg BID until resolved (usually takes 7 to 10 days)
Can colchicine be reliably used in patients with renal dysfunction?
No, consider alternate flare management
What are some drug interactions associated with colchicine?
Main interaction is with 3A4 and PGP inhibitors (toxicity risk)
Statins (may increase level of statins and additive myopathy risk)
How is colchicine dosed in patients on drugs that inhibit 3A4 and PGP?
0.6mg, then 0.3mg 1 hour later, do not repeat for 3 days
What is a common side effect associated with colchicine?
GI (NVD)
Fatigue
Serious side effects:
- Hematologic abnormalities
- Myopathy/rhabdomyolysis
What are some contraindications for colchicine?
- PGP or 3A4 inhibition in the presence of renal or hepatic impairment
- Serious GI, hepatic, renal, or cardiac disease
What is the relative tolerability of colchicine?
Usually less tolerated vs. other options