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Educate and treat to eliminate gout flares in elderly patients

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Abstract

Gout flares, caused by monosodium urate crystals in joints, are debilitating and linked to poor health outcomes. Gout prevalence increases with age, but effective treatment is available even in those with associated renal, cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities. Treatment includes immediate pain relief with low-dose colchicine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or oral/parenteral corticosteroids; with parenteral corticosteroids useful in older patients. Lifelong urate-lowering therapy and patient education, are typically recommended to reduce the risk of recurring gout flares.

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  1. Springer Nature, Mairangi Bay, Private Bag 65901, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand

    Caroline Fenton & Arnold Lee

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  1. Caroline Fenton
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  2. Arnold Lee
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Correspondence to Arnold Lee.

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The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding.

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C. Fenton, a contracted employee of Adis International Ltd/Springer Nature, and A. Lee, a salaried employee of Adis International Ltd/Springer Nature, declare no relevant conflicts of interest. All authors contributed to the review and are responsible for the article content.

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Fenton, C., Lee, A. Educate and treat to eliminate gout flares in elderly patients. Drugs Ther Perspect 38, 349–354 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-022-00934-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-022-00934-6

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