Effects of Citrate Mixture on Gout Flares During Urate-Lowering Therapy Initiation Among Chinese Male Underexcretion-Type Gout Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study

Authors:
  • LXLingfang Xu
    Lingfang Xu
  • JCJidong Cheng
    Jidong Cheng
  • LCLingling Cui
    Lingling Cui
  • KGKai Guo
    Kai Guo
  • CWCan Wang
    Can Wang
  • HQHan Qi
    Han Qi
  • QZQian Zhang
    Qian Zhang
  • YHYuwei He
    Yuwei He
  • XLXinde Li
    Xinde Li
  • XWXuefeng Wang
    Xuefeng Wang
  • WSWenyan Sun
    Wenyan Sun

Abstract
To evaluate the effect of urine alkalization with citrate mixture on reducing flare incidence during initial urate-lowering therapy period in male gout patients with renal underexcretion-type. In this prospective cohort study, patients with renal underexcretion and urinary pH < 6.2 were enrolled. All participants received febuxostat 20 mg/day during weeks 0–4, later increased to 40 mg/day if serum urate (SU) levels > 360 μmol/L. According to group assignment, patients received either alkalization therapy (Alk group; citrate mixture, 3.5 g twice/day) or no alkalization (Control group). The primary outcome measure was gout flare incidence. In total, 240 patients (Alk 114, Control 126) completed the 12-week follow-up. The Alk group had a significantly lower flare incidence (35.1%) than the Control group (59.5%, P < 0.001) and a lower recurrence of flares (14.0% vs. 31.0%, P = 0.002). At week 4, the proportion of participants with SU < 360 μmol/L was significantly higher in the Alk than in the Control group (P = 0.039). The Alk group had lower triglycerides and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than the Control group at weeks 4, 8, and 12 (P < 0.05). The urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) decreased from 1.65 (0.36–7.01) to 1.08 (0.62–2.99) at week 12 in the Alk group, significantly lower than that in the Control group (P = 0.001). No significant difference was noted in the incidence of adverse events between groups. In patients with renal underexcretion gout, urine alkalization with febuxostat therapy prevented gout flares, improved lipid metabolism, and lowered UACR. ChiCTR, https://www.chictr.org.cn , ChiCTR2100043573.

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