Scientists think a study done earlier this year could amount to a better treatment that would lower the uric acid in patients’ blood. Results indicate that low doses of benzbromarone should be considered further as an effective and safe gout treatment
The facts
Exercising helps control gout by lowering uric acid levels to prevent gout attacks. Researchers have found that fat in the body carries more uric acid than muscle. Thus, when you reduce body fat, you can reduce uric acid levels in your blood, Dr. Iversen notes. Building cardiovascular health through exercise is also very important for people with gout because they have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, according to Harvard Health. Gout is also strongly associated with developing coronary artery disease.
The study was a single-center, open-label trial that included 196 male gout patients with poor uric acid
excretion. The men were put into one of two groups. One group was given low-dose benzbromarone (LDBen) and the other group received a low-dose febuxostat (LDFeb). The clinical trial lasted for 12 weeks.
A comparison between the two groups shows that more men in the LDBen group met the set targeted
objectives while the other group didn’t do as well. Sixty-one percent of the men in the LDBen group met objectives compared to 32% in the LDFeb group.
What this means for patients
This study shows there could be a better treatment down the road to help gout patients, particularly men, to keep their uric acid in check more regularly. That means they will suffer fewer flare-ups and other consequences.
No side effects were reported in either group and that’s good news because it means that using low-dose benzbromarone is safe. That is huge when scientists look at how to apply new treatment options and
peer-review studies.
There isn’t a timeline for when this could be a treatment available to the public. It would need more studies and FDA approval. However, this is a good first step.
Current gout treatment
Gout doesn’t have a cure but can be treated through dietary monitoring and prescription medication. Most doctors advise patients to stay away from foods like red meat and alcohol that raise uric acid levels and
include more anti-inflammatory foods in their diets.
Doctors also suggest including more exercise to keep weight down and keep uric acid low. Medications that currently treat gout include diclofenac, ketoprofen, naproxen, colchicine, and steroids.
None of the medications can end gout but they can reduce symptoms. They can be effective in combination with proper diet and exercise.
Conclusion
Those with gout may soon have new treatment options that offer a safer and easier way to keep uric acid
under control. New options could have fewer side effects than current medications.
