Diuretics intake increases gouty attacks

Taking a diuretic or 'water pill' for heart failure or lowering blood pressure triples the risk of  gout attacks. Gout is caused by the deposition of urate crystals in joints and often on the big toe joint. Researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine found that the link between diuretic use and excessive uric acid in the blood was established more than four decades ago. However, no studies have specifically investigated whether taking diuretics actually raises the risk of recurrent gout attacks. The current study involved 197 patients, recruited over the Internet, who had a gout attack in the past year and agreed to allow access to their medical records. Eighty percent of subjects were male and most had a college education. The researchers focused on diuretic use in the two days preceding a gout attack. Overall, recent diuretic use appeared to increase the probability of recurrent gout attacks by nearly 4 fold. The findings suggest one should avoid prescribing diuretics to people prone to gout. Given the wide availability of alternative effective agents for the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure, clinicians have ample ability to individualize management for this population.

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