Evaluation of a 12-week allopurinol-lowering therapy in combination with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam in patients with gout

Aim. To evaluate a 12-week course of combined alloturinol-lowering therapy with a prophylactic anti-inflammatory dose of movalis for the frequency of exacerbations and the quality of life of patients with gout.

Materials and methods. Allopurinol was administered orally, 1 time per day. Every 3 weeks, the dosage of the drug was increased by 50 mg to 300 mg per day under the control of the level of serum uric acid (sUA). The total daily dose of the drug movalis, used in the form of different dosage forms, was 7.5–15 mg. The clinical effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated after 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks according to physical examination, the dynamics of joint pain at rest, during movement and palpation, according to the visual analogue scale (VAS) in millimeters, Likert scale, EuroQol-5D-5L questionnaire, care for oneself, habitual daily activities, the presence of anxiety and depression, assessment of satisfaction with treatment (on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is the complete absence of improvement or worsening, and 5 is a very good result); took into account the period of remission, as well as the time before the onset of relapse of gouty arthritis. An adverse event (AE) was recorded.

Results and discussion. On the background of treatment with movalis 7.5 mg per day more than two-thirds of patients showed no worsening of the articular syndrome with an increase in the dose of allopurinol to 300 mg per day. By the 12th week of observation, a significant difference was found between the severity of gouty arthritis characteristics in the direction of improving mobility, self-care, normal daily activities, reducing soreness, reducing anxiety and depression (p<0.05). In addition, the ESR and sUA levels were significantly different initially and at the final observation point (p<0.05), which indicates a positive effect on the inflammatory process. A 3-month course of combination therapy was not accompanied by significant increases in blood pressure, changes in creatinine clearance in blood serum. There were no adverse events from the gastrointestinal tract. 90.9% of patients rated the treatment result as very good. AE in the form of a skin allergic rash was observed in one patient; it did not require interruption of treatment and completely stopped without consequences after completion of the course.

Conclusion. 12 – a week-long combined therapy of the allopurinol-reducing drug with the anti-inflammatory dose movalis prevents the exacerbation of the articular syndrome and improves the quality of life of patients with gout.