Fernando Pérez-Ruiz discusses some of the key gout and crystal arthritis studies presented at the EULAR 2020 E-Congress (8:10).

Medicine Matters rheumatology editorial board member Fernando Pérez-Ruiz outlines his highlights from presentations on crystal arthritis and gout. This activity is financially supported by Novartis Pharma AG

In light of the FAST results, Fernando Pérez-Ruiz, Editorial Board Member for Medicine Matters rheumatology and FAST co-investigator, says that “regulatory agencies should reconsider the limitations imposed for the use of febuxostat in patients with CV risk.”

Commenting on this study, Medicine Matters rheumatology editorial board member Fernando Pérez-Ruiz (Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain) said the findings show “that gout may be causally associated with hypertension,” in contrast to previous MR studies finding no causal association between gout and chronic kidney disease or cardiovascular events.

Investigator Fernando Pérez-Ruiz talks about the results of the FAST trial, showing no increase in the risk for cardiovascular events with febuxostat versus allopurinol treatment in patients with gout.

Investigator Fernando Pérez-Ruiz talks about the results of the FAST trial, showing no increase in the risk for cardiovascular events with febuxostat versus allopurinol treatment in patients with gout (4:14).

Trial investigator Fernando Pérez-Ruiz: FAST suggests comparable CV safety of febuxostat vs allopurinol (4:14) Fernando Pérez-Ruiz_091120 The study included 6128 gout patients (85% men) from the UK, Denmark, and Sweden who were aged at least 60 years (average 71 years), had one additional CV risk factor, and were already receiving allopurinol therapy, with a median allopurinol duration of 6 years.

Tuesday,   November 12, 17:15–17:30. Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, USA Presenting author:  Gabriela Sandoval Plata, UK What our Editorial Board said: It has been hypothesized that monosodium urate (MSU) crystals may induce chronic, subclinical inflammatory responses in the absence of acute inflammation. This may explain, at least in part, the association of MSU crystal deposition and increased vascular risk. This study intends to link inflammasome-related genes in a sample of patients with asymptomatic MSU crystal deposits. The results indicate differences in immune-associated gene expression, suggesting that asymptomatic MSU crystal deposits may have an impact on systemic inflammation. –  Fernando Pérez-Ruiz, Spain

Sunday,   November 10, 16:45–17:00. Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, USA Presenting author:  Hilde B Hammer, Norway What our Editorial Board said: This prospective cohort study evaluates the impact of using a treat-to-target (T2T) approach for control of serum uric acid (sUA) levels on ultrasonographic detection of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition, such as presence of tophi or the double contour sign. The results of a 2-year follow-up of a 207 patient cohort, with intermediate analysis at 12 months, show that most patients achieved therapeutic sUA targets, and that there was a sharp reduction in ultrasound-detected of crystal deposits. This confirms the impact of a T2T strategy on reduction of MSU crystal deposits. –  Fernando Pérez-Ruiz, Spain

Editorial Board member Fernando Pérez-Ruiz summarizes the key changes in the 2018 updated EULAR recommendations for the diagnosis of gout.

Editorial Board member Fernando Pérez-Ruiz summarizes the key changes in the 2018 updated EULAR recommendations for the diagnosis of gout.

. –  Fernando Pérez-Ruiz, Spain

Editorial Board member Fernando Pérez-Ruiz discusses the impact of hyperuricemia in cardiometabolic and chronic kidney disease, focusing on the role of genetic studies in showing a causal association between these conditions.

Editorial Board member Fernando Pérez-Ruiz discusses the impact of hyperuricemia in cardiometabolic and chronic kidney disease, focusing on the role of genetic studies in showing a causal association between these conditions.

Editorial board members Oliver FitzGerald and Fernando Pérez-Ruiz provide their highlights from the spondyloarthropathy and crystal arthropathy sessions at the 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

. –  Fernando Pérez-Ruiz, Spain

Editorial board members Oliver FitzGerald and Fernando Pérez-Ruiz provide their highlights from the spondyloarthropathy and crystal arthropathy sessions at the 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, USA.