Urate-lowering Therapy: Patient Education (Nursing)

00:00 Urate-lowering therapy is a long-term, often lifelong commitment.

00:06 So your patients are going to need to understand that these medications need to be continued even during acute flares.

00:12 So it's the consistent therapy that's necessary so that we can achieve and maintain target urate levels.

00:18 Now let's talk about lifestyle modifications.

00:21 The medications are the mainstay of the treatment, but lifestyle factors can also impact gout management.

00:28 So here's what we encourage the patients to do.

00:31 Maintain a healthy weight, limit high purine foods such as organ meats, shellfish, and certain fish, moderate alcohol intake, and please avoid beer because it is particularly high in purines.

00:43 They need to stay well hydrated to promote that uric acid excretion, and they should avoid high fructose corn syrup because that can increase uric acid production.

00:53 The patient's engagement in monitoring is absolutely important to successful treatment.

00:58 The patient needs to know how to recognize the signs of a gout flare.

01:02 That's how they can initiate the treatment promptly.

01:05 It's equally important, though, that they recognize potential adverse reactions, things like rash or flu-like symptoms, because these need to be reported to the healthcare team immediately.

01:14 You need to emphasize with your clients the importance of regular follow-up appointments and blood tests so that we can monitor the medication effectiveness and their safety.

01:23 Now, if they're in a flare, they need to know how to manage that.

01:26 So each patient should have a plan for managing acute attacks, including which medication to use and when to start it.

01:33 Remind them to continue their urate lowering therapy during flares because stopping it can worsen the situation.

01:39 And there's also simple measures.

01:41 They can use ice application and resting the affected joint that can help bring them some additional relief.

01:47 Effective management of gout requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both the underlying hyperuricemia and the acute inflammatory episodes.

01:56 By you understanding the pathophysiology and the mechanism of action of our various treatment options, you can assist in tailoring the therapy to each patient's needs, comorbidities, and risk factors.

02:07 Remember, the patient education and regular monitoring are essential components of a successful long-term management of gout.