[Hyperuricemia--does modern therapy improve life expectancy?].

Today hyperuricaemia and gout are likewise seen in every population of the western industrial world and have been increasing since the fifties. As known from number of studies hyperuricaemia often occurs in connection with hyperlipoproteinaemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis. Up to now it was not clear whether one disease caused the other. In 1988 Abbot could prove that among men, those afflicted by gout as compared to those without gout experienced a 60% excess of coronary heart disease. Therefore, patients with gout should receive a regular thorough cardiovascular evaluation. Furthermore risk factor levels which predispose to coronary heart disease, arterial hypertension and gout should be reduced. There is a significant positive correlation between the plasma uric acid levels and the prevalence of attacks of gouty arthritis and nephrolithiasis. It is possible to avoid gouty arthritis, tophi and nephrolithiasis with a consequent diet and medical treatment. Unfortunately, many patients interrupt therapy during intervals free of pain. The consequence is that even today the complications of hyperuricaemia cause days of inability to work and to earn one's living, despite of modern therapy. Hyperuricaemia not sufficiently treated reduces the quality of life through attacks of gout, chronic gout and nephrolithiasis as well as life expectancy caused by nephropathy, arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis. This is of special importance because of the frequency of gout and hyperuricaemia in our population. An early diagnosis, a consistent therapy and a thorough monitoring could stop an increase of this disease and prolong life expectancy for those who have gout and the other attendant diseases.