Abuse and Neglect, Gout, Rheumatology / 22.06.2024

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Brian LaMoreaux, MD, MS Internist and Rheumatologist Executive Medical Director, Amgen MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? How does KRYSTEXXA® (pegloticase) work in gout? Response: Many other diseases in gout have well-defined definitions of remission, but gout has lagged behind on this. With systemic consequences of gout becoming more apparent, the concept of treating gout to remission is increasing important to improving patient care and preserving patient health.   Our MIRROR randomized controlled trial (RCT) provides data beyond the primary and secondary endpoints and allows us to look at aspects like the rate of gout remission (i.e. serum urate level (SU) <6 mg/dL, absence of acute gout flare, absence of tophi, minimal gout-related pain, and minimal gout-related quality-of-life impact over a 12-month period) achieved with KRYSTEXXA-induced intensive urate-lowering. Continuing to advance knowledge that can positively impact patient care is our driving force for the research. KRYSTEXXA is approved for the treatment of uncontrolled gout, for those experiencing signs and symptoms of gout despite taking oral medicines. It is the only gout treatment that controls uncontrolled gout by changing uric acid into a water-soluble substance called allantoin that he body easily gets rid of through urine. (more…)
Author Interviews, Gout, JAMA, Kidney Disease / 06.06.2022

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Csaba P Kovesdy MD FASN Fred Hatch Professor of Medicine Director, Clinical Outcomes and Clinical Trials Program Division of Nephrology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center Nephrology Section Chief, Memphis VA Medical Center Memphis TN, 38163 MedicalResearch.com:  What is the background for this study?  What are the main findings?  Response: Hyperuricemia has unfavorable metabolic effects and has been associated with higher risk of progressive kidney disease and mortality. Despite this, earlier clinical trials have failed to prove a beneficial impact on kidney disease progression from uric acid lowering therapy in patients with preexisting CKD. The effect of uric acid lowering therapy on the development of new onset CKD in patients with normal kidney function has not been well studied. In our large observational study we did not find a beneficial association between newly initiated uric acid lowering therapy (the majority of which was in the form of allopurinol). On the contrary, uric acid lowering therapy was associated with a slightly higher risk of new onset low eGFR and new onset albuminuria, especially in patients with less elevated baseline serum acid levels. (more…)
Author Interviews, Gout, Orthopedics, Rheumatology / 09.06.2021

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. Prof. Dr.  Gurkirpal Singh, MD Adjunct Clinical Professor of Medicine Stanford University MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Joint damage from gout has been linked to a possible increase in knee and hip joint replacements. The strong association between gout and osteoarthritis could also lead to an increased risk of joint replacements in patients with gout as the presence of gout may accelerate or worsen osteoarthritis.[i] This study aimed to evaluate total or partial hip and knee joint replacements in patients with gout in the U.S. and to estimate their economic impact. Data was analyzed on hospitalizations in patients with gout with hip and knee joint replacements in 2018, using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample  (NIS) which is the largest publicly available all-payer inpatient healthcare database. (more…)