Consensus Statement on the Management of Patients With Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia in General Medical Practice
Abstract
Hyperuricemia is a condition characterized by an increase of serum uric acid level above 360 µmol/L. It is known that high serum uric acid levels are not only the condition for the etiopathogenesis of gout but also an important risk factor for the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, kidney and liver pathologies, type 2 diabetes, and others. This makes hyperuricemia a relevant issue in general therapeutic practice. Despite extensive evidence on the negative role of hyperuricemia in many internal organ diseases, the management strategy for patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia in real clinical practice remains a subject of debate. This resolution represents an interdisciplinary consensus of experts from Commonwealth of Independent States, based on current evidence-based medicine data and proprietary registries. The proposed algorithm emphasizes the importance of a personalized approach to the treatment of hyperuricemia, taking into account the severity of comorbid conditions and the level of cardiovascular risk. Step-by-step recommendations are provided for general practitioners, family doctors, and a wide range of specialists in both non-pharmacological and pharmacological urate-lowering therapy. These guidelines aim to improve the quality of medical care for patients at high risk of socially significant diseases occurring together with asymptomatic hyperuricemia.