A new standard of care? Studies on febuxostat in the management of hyperuricemia with and without gout.

摘要

Gout is one of the most common rheumatic diseases worldwide. Its rising prevalence, pronounced economic burden for society, and significant toll on patients' lives make it of central concern for physicians and patients alike. The clinical symptoms of gout are because of the formation of monosodium urate crystals in soft tissues and joints. This occurs when serum uric acid (sUA) levels rise above 7.0 mg/dL, the limit of solubility for monosodium urate in plasma, which also defines the metabolic disorder hyperuricemia. Known to be one of the main risk factors for gout, hyperuricemia has also been postulated to be a causative factor in cardiovascular disease. Although not all patients with hyperuricemia develop gout, higher sUA levels have been correlated with increased risk, emphasizing the importance of sUA-lowering therapies.