Does asymptomatic hyperuricemia require treatment?

Does asymptomatic hyperuricemia require treatment?

Treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia is not necessary in most patients, unless perhaps they have very high levels of uric acid or are otherwise at risk of complications, such as those with a personal or strong family history of gout, urolithiasis, or uric acid nephropathy.

Is asymptomatic hyperuricemia a concern?

As a general rule, asymptomatic hyperuricemia should not be treated, though ultrasonographic studies have demonstrated that urate crystal deposition into soft tissues occurs in a minority of patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia.

Is ultrasound good for gout?

Ultrasonography may be helpful in the diagnosis of gout because the crystals form into the shape of rosary beads inside the cartilage on the ends of the bones and this can be seen on the ultrasound pictures. Ultrasonography can also show a ‘double contour sign.

Can ultrasound detect uric acid crystals?

Ultrasound has been shown to be a sensitive method to detect uric monosodium urate (MSU) deposition and its use is included in the classification criteria for gout.

When do you start treatment for asymptomatic hyperuricemia?

To prevent gouty arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and renal failure, the Japanese guidelines for management of hyperuricemia and gout recommends initiating pharmacologic urate-lowering therapy for asymptomatic hyperuricemia when serum urate levels increase to > 8.0 mg/dL [3].

What is asymptomatic hyperuricemia?

Asymptomatic hyperuricemia is a term traditionally applied to settings in which the serum urate concentration is elevated but in which neither symptoms nor signs of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition disease, such as gout, or uric acid renal disease, have occurred.

Why is asymptomatic hyperuricemia generally not treated?

Most patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia never develop gout or stones. Pharmacologic treatment for asymptomatic hyperuricemia carries some risk, is not considered beneficial or cost-effective, and generally is not recommended.

How are uric acid crystals diagnosed?

Your doctor may use a needle to draw fluid from your affected joint. Urate crystals may be visible when the fluid is examined under a microscope. Blood test. Your doctor may recommend a blood test to measure the levels of uric acid in your blood.

Do uric acid crystals dissolve?

Abstract. Monosodium urate crystals dissolve and are eliminated from joints and soft tissues as serum uric acid levels drop below its saturating point (400 μmol/l). Time to crystal clearance relates to disease duration and to the serum uric acid level achieved with therapy.

How do you break up gout crystals?

Drink at least 10-12 eight-ounce glasses of non-alcoholic fluids daily, especially if you have had kidney stones. This will help flush the uric acid crystals out of your body.

When should you test for uric acid for gout?

You may also need a uric acid test if you have symptoms of gout. These include: Pain and/or swelling in the joints, especially in the big toe, ankle, or knee. Reddish, shiny skin around the joints.

What causes uric acid crystallization?

The crystallization of uric acid occurs due to the following reasons: (i) when the body increases the amount of uric acid it produces, (ii) the kidneys fail to excrete enough uric acid, and (iii) dietary habits, such as, consumption of food with high purine content and/or excessive alcoholic beverages, when a person …