Hyperuricemia: contemporary treatment in patients with cardiovascular disease

Abstract

The prevalence of hyperuricemia is due to the epidemic of obesity, changes in eating behavior in the population with the rise of purines, alcohol and fructose consumption, as well as the increased use of diuretics. It’s important to mention that over the past 20 years there has been an increase in the prevalence of such concomitant diseases and conditions as arterial hypertension (+15%), diabetes mellitus (+19%), decreased kidney function (+17%), hyperlipidemia (+40%) and obesity (+19%). Hyperuricemia (and/or gout) can be both a cause and a consequence of various comorbid conditions. That is why their treatment is closely connected with the treatments of hyperuricemia, especially of asymptomatic one.It’s important to determine not only the upper limit of the uric acid in patients, when the therapy is being initiated, but to assess the target levels of uric acid, that must be achieved in patients receiving optimal treatment.In this review article the main principles of both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment in patients with cardiovascular diseases are described. The need for medical treatment, target serum urate levels in patients with cardiovascular risk factors are discussed, as well as further perspectives in the field of research in patients with hyperuricemia and cardiovascular diseases.Allopurinol is currently the key drug prescribed to patients with hyperuricemia and cardiovascular risk factors. The most important advantage is its safety profile. Patients receiving renal replacement therapy can also safely receive the drug.The need to reduce the level of uric acid in patients with cardiovascular disease is currently beyond doubt. In the group of patients with additional risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and CKD, lifestyle modification in combination with urate-lowering therapy improves both the quality of life and prognosis. Currently, allopurinol is the drug of choice for the treatment of AH in combination with AH, taking into account both the efficacy and safety of its administration to this group of patients. However, it is obvious that further studies with clearer inclusion criteria are needed to analyze the effect of therapy on cardiovascular events, as well as combined endpoints.