OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of withdrawal of antihyperuricemic therapy on the recurrence of tophi and acute arthritis. METHODS: We performed a retrospective investigation of 21 patients with tophaceous gout who stopped therapy because they had no arthritis for years, and on examination tophi had disappeared. RESULTS: Nine patients (43%) had a recurrence of tophi after an average period of 39.6 months (range 4-107 months). Seventeen patients (81%) had attacks of acute arthritis, 6 patients within 6 months. During a mean period of drug discontinuation of 37.6 months no increase in serum creatinine or deterioration in joint function was observed. CONCLUSION: Based on our data we conclude that intermittent usage of antihyperuricemic drugs will, after a variable period, result in the frequent recurrence of acute arthritis and tophi.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of withdrawal of antihyperuricemic therapy on the recurrence of tophi and acute arthritis. METHODS: We performed a retrospective investigation of 21 patients with tophaceous gout who stopped therapy because they had no arthritis for years, and on examination tophi had disappeared. RESULTS: Nine patients (43%) had a recurrence of tophi after an average period of 39.6 months (range 4-107 months). Seventeen patients (81%) had attacks of acute arthritis, 6 patients within 6 months. During a mean period of drug discontinuation of 37.6 months no increase in serum creatinine or deterioration in joint function was observed. CONCLUSION: Based on our data we conclude that intermittent usage of antihyperuricemic drugs will, after a variable period, result in the frequent recurrence of acute arthritis and tophi.
Authors: F Perez-Ruiz; A Alonso-Ruiz; M Calabozo; A Herrero-Beites; G García-Erauskin; E Ruiz-Lucea Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 1998-09 Impact factor: 19.103
Authors: Anne-Kathrin Tausche; Tim L Jansen; Hans-Egbert Schröder; Stefan R Bornstein; Martin Aringer; Ulf Müller-Ladner Journal: Dtsch Arztebl Int Date: 2009-08-24 Impact factor: 5.594