A recent study from Arthritis Research Canada shows how diabetes medication reduces gout flares.
Gout is a common type of arthritis that causes sudden, intense pain known as “flares” that are followed by pain-free periods. Gout can damage joints and lead to other health issues like high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Reducing flares is essential for managing the disease — however, typical gout medications aren’t always effective. A recent study from Arthritis Research Canada found that a newer type 2 diabetes medication might help reduce gout flares.
Over seven years, this study followed people in British Columbia who had both gout and type 2 diabetes. It checked how often they had gout flares after they started taking one of two diabetes medicines: SGLT2i or DPP-4i. The results showed that those on SGLT2i had fewer gout flare-ups, fewer trips to the emergency room because of gout, and a lower risk of heart attacks.
“Our findings provide evidence that SGLT2i could have multiple benefits for people with gout, both by potentially reducing the number of flares they experience and by helping treat other cardiovascular and metabolic conditions,” said Dr. Natalie McCormick, at Arthritis Research Canada.
To learn more about the research underway at Arthritis Research Canada, please visit https://www.arthritisresearch.ca/current-research/.
This article was supported by Arthritis Research Canada.
