What are the harms of hyperuricemia?

Written by Li Hui Zhi

Endocrinology

Updated on August 31, 2024

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The dangers of hyperuricemia:

Firstly, some individuals might experience gouty arthritis, characterized by localized joint swelling, redness, heat, and pain, affecting mobility.

Secondly, prolonged hyperuricemia can damage the kidneys, leading to chronic renal failure.

Thirdly, if hyperuricemia persists long-term, it may result in the formation of tophi. Tophi deposited in joints can cause joint deformities and limited mobility. Additionally, hyperuricemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and thus should be taken seriously.

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Written by Chen Xie

Endocrinology

1min 8sec

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How is hyperuricemia treated?

The treatment of hyperuricemia mainly includes: First, improving lifestyle, including healthy eating with a low-purine diet, quitting smoking, drinking more water, exercising regularly, and controlling weight. Second, alkalinizing the urine using sodium bicarbonate to maintain urine pH between 6.2 and 6.9, which facilitates the excretion of uric acid. Third, avoiding medications that increase blood uric acid levels, such as diuretics, corticosteroids, and insulin, among others. Fourth, using medications that lower uric acid, including drugs that increase uric acid excretion, mainly benzbromarone and probenecid, and drugs that inhibit uric acid synthesis, such as allopurinol and febuxostat. The choice of medication has specific indications, contraindications, and side effects, and it is advised to use these medications under the guidance of a specialist and not to self-medicate.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi

Endocrinology

44sec

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What are the harms of hyperuricemia?

The dangers of hyperuricemia: Firstly, some individuals might experience gouty arthritis, characterized by localized joint swelling, redness, heat, and pain, affecting mobility. Secondly, prolonged hyperuricemia can damage the kidneys, leading to chronic renal failure. Thirdly, if hyperuricemia persists long-term, it may result in the formation of tophi. Tophi deposited in joints can cause joint deformities and limited mobility. Additionally, hyperuricemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and thus should be taken seriously.

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Written by Luo Juan

Endocrinology

1min 1sec

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Hyperuricemia treatment agent

Currently, the main treatments for hyperuricemia in clinical practice include the following types. One category is drugs that inhibit uric acid synthesis, primarily allopurinol and febuxostat. Allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, which mainly works by preventing the conversion of hypoxanthine and xanthine into uric acid through the inhibition of xanthine oxidase. Febuxostat, on the other hand, is a newer xanthine oxidase inhibitor and may be more effective than allopurinol in lowering blood uric acid levels. Another category includes drugs that promote the excretion of uric acid, suitable for patients with normal renal function and hyperuricemia. These mainly include probenecid, benzbromarone, and some use of thiazide diuretics, though their effectiveness for hyperuricemia is somewhat controversial. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Li Hui Zhi

Endocrinology

41sec

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Hyperuricemia Clinical Symptoms

Some patients with hyperuricemia may not have any symptoms, and only discover elevated uric acid levels during a physical examination. However, some patients may experience gouty arthritis, manifesting as redness, swelling, heat, and pain in a localized joint, commonly in the joints of the toes. It may also affect joints like the ankle and elbow. Additionally, some patients may develop gouty nephropathy, leading to renal insufficiency. Therefore, hyperuricemia should be taken seriously to prevent severe conditions such as gouty arthritis and other serious symptoms associated with gout.

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Written by Li Jing

Rheumatology

59sec

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What should be noted for hyperuricemia?

Firstly, hyperuricemia is just found during routine physical examinations or blood tests, showing an increase in blood uric acid levels without the occurrence of gout attacks, meaning there are no symptoms of joint pain. At this time, there is no need for special medication, which means uric acid-lowering drugs are not required. However, you need to be cautious and change your lifestyle habits. For example, abstaining from alcohol, controlling the intake of animal organs, seafood, and barbecued foods. Additionally, drinking more water is necessary, and for overweight individuals, controlling weight and losing weight are important considerations. Also, you should avoid intense physical activities as they can trigger gout attacks, but this doesn't mean no exercise at all; slow walking and swimming are fine.