Gout is recognized as an increasingly common inflammatory joint disease. The condition is considered one of the most painful types of arthritis and it requires fast, effective, and safe treatment. Gout treatment typically includes medication. Since nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and colchicine have possible gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular side effects, researchers considered whether corticosteroids may be a useful treatment for gout. Naproxen and prednisolone were compared. In the study, 120 patients were randomly assigned to receive prednisolone (35 mg/once a day) or naproxen (500 mg/twice a day) for 5 days.
According to study results published in the May 31, 2008 journal The Lancet, the reduction in pain scores was statistically similar, leading researchers to conclude that oral prednisolone and naproxen are equally effective in the initial treatment of gout. While corticosteroids like prednisolone are not without their own potential side effects, this may be an option for some gout patients, especially in the acute phase of gout symptoms. Larger studies are likely needed to confirm the findings so that doctors may view it as a valid treatment option for gout patients.
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- The Facts of Corticosteroids
- Colchicine: 10 Things You Should Know
- How to Treat Gout With Diet and Medication
Gout accounts for approximately 5% of all cases of arthritis. The condition occurs in nearly 9 of every 1,000 people. Gout is rare in children and young adults. Men, particularly those between the ages of 40 and 50, are more likely to develop gout than women, who rarely develop the disorder before menopause.
More Related Resources:
- Gout Risk Factors
- Gout Screening Quiz
- Test Your Knowledge: Gout
- Signs and Symptoms of Gout
- 10 Things You Should Know About Gout
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