[Rehabilitation of patients with gout during outpatient follow-up]

The authors presented the results of a 5-year follow-up of 50 gout patients who had been regularly (no less than 3-4 times a year) examined in outpatient clinics. Dispensary examinations of the patients resulted in a decrease in the level of uric acid and in the number of exacerbations of gouty arthritis, the reduction of the sizes of tophi or their disappearance. Regular examination and ultrasonic investigation made it possible to prevent in some cases attacks of urolithiasis, and to reduce 4-fold a disability time-period and to preserve working capacity in 96% of the patients. The study showed that in most of the patients with essential hypertension and coronary heart disease arterial pressure got stable and the number of angina attacks was on a decrease. The data obtained indicated a high efficacy and appropriateness of combined rehabilitation activities in gout patients.