Description

Regular monitoring of serum uric acid levels is a crucial component of effective gout management. A landmark study by Perez-Ruiz et al. (2002) in Arthritis & Rheumatism demonstrated that maintaining serum urate levels below 6 mg/dL was associated with a reduction in tophi size and frequency of gout attacks. The importance of treat-to-target approaches in gout management was further emphasized in a systematic review by Kiltz et al. (2017), which found that achieving and maintaining target serum urate levels was associated with improved clinical outcomes. The optimal frequency of monitoring was explored in a study by Pascual et al. (2019), which suggested that once target levels are achieved, monitoring every 6 months may be sufficient for most patients. However, more frequent monitoring may be necessary during the initiation or adjustment of urate-lowering therapy. The ACR guidelines (Khanna et al., 2012) strongly recommend regular monitoring of serum urate levels, with a target of <6 mg/dL for most patients. It's important to note that while serum urate is a crucial biomarker, it should be interpreted in the context of the patient's clinical symptoms and overall health status. Patient education about the importance of monitoring and understanding their uric acid levels is also key, as highlighted in a qualitative study by Harrold et al. (2010).