Treat to target in gouty arthritis

Gout is a crystal-induced, metabolically determined inflammatory rheumatic disease with increasing prevalence. In clinical practice, gout causes frequent diagnostic as well as therapeutic problems. The golden diagnostic standard is crystalographic analysis and evidence of monosodium urate crystals in the polarization microscope; if this is not available, the diagnosis can be established through a combination of clinical, laboratory and imaging techniques. The acute gouty attack must be treated by quick administration of anti-inflammatory medicines, with available alternatives being nonsteroidal antirheumatic drugs (NSA), colchicine and glucocorticoids. When the attack subsides, hypouricemic therapy is initiated which should combine the regimen and diet measures and pharmacological treatment. Recommendations for the treatment of gout were published by the EULAR and the Czech Society for Rheumatology. Recently a new strategy appeared known as Treat to target - T2T. This principle has been successfully used in the treatment of rheumatiod arthritis and spondyloarthritis. The publication is structured as four overarching principles and nine Recommendations. The recommendations emphasize long-term maintenance of serum levels of uric acid below 360 μmol/l as the basic gout-related target in all patients, and below 300 μmol/l for patients with tophies. It is recommended to administer prophylactic small doses of colchicine for at least 3-6 months on the commencement of hypouricemic therapy. The Recommendations further emphasize the need for regular monitoring of comorbidities and the kidney function. A separate recommendation is concerned with necessary education of patients and their motivation toward compliance with regimen measures and increased physical activity.

Keywords: colchicine; gouty arthritis; treat to target principle