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[Hyperuricemia--does modern therapy improve life expectancy?]
Insights
Hyperuricemia and gout are increasingly prevalent, linked to cardiovascular disease and other health issues. Early diagnosis and consistent treatment are crucial for managing gout and improving patient quality of life and longevity.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
Context:
- Hyperuricemia and gout prevalence have increased significantly in Western industrialized nations since the 1950s.
- Hyperuricemia is frequently associated with other metabolic conditions, including hyperlipoproteinemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, and atherosclerosis.
- Previous research indicates a strong correlation between gout and an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
Purpose:
- To highlight the significant association between hyperuricemia, gout, and cardiovascular disease.
- To emphasize the importance of regular cardiovascular evaluations for gout patients.
- To advocate for risk factor reduction and consistent management of hyperuricemia.
Summary:
- Elevated plasma uric acid levels correlate positively with gout attacks and kidney stones.
- Untreated hyperuricemia can lead to chronic gout, kidney disease, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, reducing quality of life and life expectancy.
- Consistent medical treatment and lifestyle modifications can prevent or mitigate the complications of hyperuricemia.
Impact:
- Early diagnosis and consistent management of hyperuricemia can prevent debilitating complications like gouty arthritis and nephrolithiasis.
- Effective treatment can improve the quality of life and prolong life expectancy for individuals with gout and associated conditions.
- Reducing risk factors associated with hyperuricemia and cardiovascular disease is essential for public health.
Abstract:
Today hyperuricaemia and gout are likewise seen in every population of the western industrial world and have been increasing since the fifties. As known from number of studies hyperuricaemia often occurs in connection with hyperlipoproteinaemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis. Up to now it was not clear whether one disease caused the other. In 1988 Abbot could prove that among men, those afflicted by gout as compared to those without gout experienced a 60% excess of coronary heart disease. Therefore, patients with gout should receive a regular thorough cardiovascular evaluation. Furthermore risk factor levels which predispose to coronary heart disease, arterial hypertension and gout should be reduced. There is a significant positive correlation between the plasma uric acid levels and the prevalence of attacks of gouty arthritis and nephrolithiasis. It is possible to avoid gouty arthritis, tophi and nephrolithiasis with a consequent diet and medical treatment. Unfortunately, many patients interrupt therapy during intervals free of pain. The consequence is that even today the complications of hyperuricaemia cause days of inability to work and to earn one's living, despite of modern therapy. Hyperuricaemia not sufficiently treated reduces the quality of life through attacks of gout, chronic gout and nephrolithiasis as well as life expectancy caused by nephropathy, arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis. This is of special importance because of the frequency of gout and hyperuricaemia in our population. An early diagnosis, a consistent therapy and a thorough monitoring could stop an increase of this disease and prolong life expectancy for those who have gout and the other attendant diseases.