Initiation of Allopurinol at First Medical Contact for Acute Attacks of Gout

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2009-07-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: Male

Summary

Medical teaching suggests allopurinol should not be initiated in the setting of an acute attack of gout, as rapid lowering of serum urate may exacerbate the attack. This study tests the hypothesis that there is no difference in patient reported daily pain or flair occurrences with early versus delayed institution of allopurinol during an acute gout attack.

• Phase: Phase 4
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: White River Junction VAMC; White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center
• Treatments: Allopurinol

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• First medical contact for acute attack of gout.

• ACR criteria for acute attack of gout

• Crystal proven by arthrocentesis on day of enrollment

• Primary gout

Exclusion Criteria:

• Secondary Gout

• Tophaceous Gout

• Prior steroid, colchicine, or uric acid lowering therapy in the past 6 months.

• Uncontrolled CHF

• Unstable angina

• Renal insufficiency (entry CREAT > 1.3)

• Anticoagulant therapy

• Immunosuppressive therapy or chemotherapy in the past 6 months

• Pregnancy; OR

• Known allergy to NSAID, colchicine, or allopurinol