NSAIDs vs Steroids for Acute Gout Pain

August 16, 2018

NSAIDs are currently recommended as first-line therapy but pose the risk of serious adverse effects.

Reference1. Billy CA, Lim RT, Ruospo M, Palmer SC, Strippoli GFM. Corticosteroid or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs for the treatment of acute gout: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Rheumatol. 2018;45:128-136. doi:10.3899/jrheum.170137.

Billy and an international team of researchers found that the efficacy of corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of acute gout pain is comparable; however, corticosteroids have a more favorable safety profile.¹ Click through the slides for the details of the study and the take-home points for clinicians.

(Image credit: ©Angel Soler Gollonet/Shutterstock.com)

GI, gastrointestinal; NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

GI, gastrointestinal; NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

When making treatment decisions, weigh the efficacy of each drug against specific adverse events experienced by patients.

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NSAIDs vs Steroids for Acute Gout Pain

Gregory M. Weiss, MD