title: Treatment of acute gouty arthritis: one physician's approach and where this management stands relative to developments in the field.
abstract: An attack of acute gouty arthritis is one the most painful episodes that can be experienced by humans. Fortunately, there are three classes of agents that can effectively terminate the acute attack. These include colchicine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and glucocorticoids. If therapy with any one of these is initiated promptly after the onset of symptoms, relief should occur quickly. Recent observations have increased the knowledge of crystal-induced acute inflammatory responses. These observations allow a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of these agents and provide the rationale for using them in combination in severe or refractory cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, 4502 East 41st Street, Tulsa, OK 74137, USA. Robert-wortmann@ouhsc.edu
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Wortmann
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015210:Arthritis, Gouty / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003078:Colchicine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006074:Gout Suppressants; D003078:Colchicine