It is well recognized that patients with gout are susceptible to acute arthritis during the initial period following the start of uricosuric agents or allopurinol, however, the factors that make these patients susceptible are not well understood.
We analyzed the incidence of gouty arthritis along with the serum uric acid level during the first six visits in 350 gout patients who just started uricosuric agents or allopurenol. On comparison of patients with and without gout arthritis during this period, maintaining the serum uric acid level between 5.0∼6.4mg/dl was the most beneficial for the prevention of gouty arthritis.
Smaller variation in serum uric acid and an, average serum uric acid level between 5.0∼6.4mg /dl were useful in preventing acute arthritis.
