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Persistent hypouricemic effect of longterm diflunisal administration
The Journal of Rheumatology
|July 1, 1981
Summary
Diflunisal, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, significantly lowered serum uric acid levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Higher drug concentrations correlated with greater uric acid reduction, particularly in women.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease.
- Management of RA often involves nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Uric acid metabolism can be affected by various medications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of diflunisal on serum uric acid concentrations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
- To explore the relationship between plasma diflunisal levels and changes in uric acid levels.
Main Methods:
- 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis received chronic administration of 750 mg of diflunisal daily.
- Serum uric acid concentrations were measured before and during treatment.
- Plasma diflunisal concentrations were measured and correlated with uric acid levels.
Main Results:
- Diflunisal significantly reduced serum uric acid levels from 0.29 +/- 0.02 to 0.20 +/- 0.02 mmol/l.
- A significant correlation (p < 0.01) was observed between plasma diflunisal concentration and the fall in serum uric acid at week 14.
- Plasma diflunisal concentrations were statistically higher in females at week 24 (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Chronic administration of diflunisal leads to a significant decrease in serum uric acid in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
- The uricosuric effect of diflunisal is dose-dependent and related to plasma drug concentrations.
- Gender may influence diflunisal pharmacokinetics and its effect on uric acid levels.