Scientists from Boston University found that the drug allopurinol used to manage gout may offer protection against the development of kidney disease.
The research is published in JAMA Internal Medicine and was conducted by Tuhina Neogi et al.
Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis in the United States (affecting 3.9 percent of Americans, more than eight million adults.
Gout flares are caused by the formation of urate crystals within the joints, leading to significant pain and swelling.
Allopurinol is the most frequently used medication to manage gout, including the long-term prevention of gout flares by reducing the amount of urate circulating through the blood.
Traditionally there has been concern from physicians that this medication may increase the risk of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), despite a lack of clear data supporting this relationship.
As such, many patients find themselves undertreated, leading to poorer gout outcomes.
In the study, the team used medical records to evaluate kidney function in gout patients after starting allopurinol.
They found that of the more than 4,000 patients who started on full-dose allopurinol for prevention of gout flares, 12.2 percent had developed Stage 3 CKD after an average of five years of treatment, as compared to 13.1 percent of non-users over a similar period.
The researchers conclude that the use of allopurinol in the management of gout is not only safe but also potentially beneficial in reducing the risk of kidney disease.
These results as an important step forward in the long-term treatment of gout.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about pesticide linked to chronic kidney disease, and this drug may prevent kidney failure in people with diabetes.
For more information about kidney health, please see recent studies about drug duo that may treat kidney failure, and results showing these vegetables may protect against kidney damage.
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