RESEARCH ARTICLE


A Primary Care Perspective on Gout



Eva Rimler1, *, Jennifer Lom1, Jason Higdon2, Dominique Cosco1, Danielle Jones1
1 Emory University School of Medicine, Grady Memorial Hospital Primary Care Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
2 Emory University School of Medicine, The Emory Clinic Patient Centered Primary Care, Emory Healthcare, Atlanta, GA, USA


Article Metrics

CrossRef Citations:
0
Total Statistics:

Full-Text HTML Views: 5533
Abstract HTML Views: 2541
PDF Downloads: 892
ePub Downloads: 787
Total Views/Downloads: 9753
Unique Statistics:

Full-Text HTML Views: 2504
Abstract HTML Views: 1266
PDF Downloads: 618
ePub Downloads: 525
Total Views/Downloads: 4913



Creative Commons License
© Rimler et al; Licensee Bentham Open.

open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International Public License (CC BY-NC 4.0) (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode), which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.

* Address correspondence to this author at the Division of General Medicine and Geriatrics,Grady Memorial Hospital, J. Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Residency Program, Emory University School of Medicine, 49 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; Tel: 404.778.1634; Fax; 404.778.1602; E-mail: erimler@emory.edu


Abstract

Gout causes patients’ significant morbidity, work-related disability, loss of productivity, increased health care costs, and even all-cause hospital admissions. As a result, primary care providers must be armed with the knowledge to properly diagnose and manage gout. While many aspects of care remain the same, some key updates that primary care providers must consider when treating their patients with gout will be discussed. In this perspective we will highlight and discuss acceptable circumstances for empiric treatment, renewed emphasis on treat to target, access to commonly used medications, recommended first line agents, and the role of primary care physicians in gout flare prevention among other topics. These strategies will aid primary care physicians treat all but the most complex cases of gout.

Keywords: Acute gout flare, Gout, primary care provider, urate lowering therapy, xanthine oxidase inhibitors.