Korean Guidelines for Tailored Management of Gout

ABSTRACT

Gout is a chronic systemic metabolic disease characterized by recurrent attacks of inflammatory arthritis resulting from precipitation of monosodium urate crystals, presenting various clinical and pathologic manifestations. The disease is associated with multiple comorbidity, impaired quality of life, life threatening, and heavy economic burden. The incidence and prevalence of gout is increasing in many developed and developing countries as well as in Korea. However, the current state of gout and hyperuricemia management in Korea is not sufficient because the therapeutic goal has been achieved in less than half of patients with gout. Thus, education in gout management for people and primary care physicians appears important for proper treatment of gout. In the United States, Japan, and Europe, guidelines for management of gout and hyperuricemia have already been published. In this review, Korean guidelines for tailored management of gout will be suggested.