The Effect of Low Dose Aspirin on Serum and Urinary Uric Acid Level in Gouty Arthritis Patients

Choi, Hyo Jin; Lee, Yun Jong; Park, Jeong Jin; Lee, Jung Chan; Lee, Eun Young; Lee, Eun Bong; Song, Yeong Wook

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of low dose aspirin on serum and urinary uric acid level in gouty arthritis patients.
METHODS
22 male gouty arthritis patients (12 treated with allopurinol and 10 with benzbromarone) were enrolled in a prospective study. Mean age (+/-SD) was 57.3+/-10.4 years. Patients had been treated with hypouricemic agent for at least 3 months. Low dose of aspirin (100 mg/ day) were administered for 4 weeks. During the study period, hypouricemic agents were remained on the same dosage. Demographic data were collected at baseline. Laboratory tests including serum uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, 24 hours urine uric acid, creatinine clearance (Ccr), and 24 hours urine urea nitrogen were measured at baseline and then every 4 weeks for 12 weeks.
RESULTS
At baseline, there was no difference in age, serum uric acid, 24 hours urine uric acid, Ccr and 24 hours urine urea nitrogen between allopurinol and benzbromarone groups. After aspirin treatment, levels of serum uric acid (p=0.901 by paired t-test in allopurinol group, p=0.617 in benzbromarone group), 24 hours urine uric acid (p=0.789, p=0.410), Ccr (p=0.480, p=0.219), 24 hours urine urea nitrogen (p=0.284, p=0.250) did not change significantly at 0 and 4 weeks. Acute gouty attack did not occur during the study period.
CONCLUSION
Low dose aspirin does not influence serum uric acid level or urinary uric acid excretion in gouty arthritis patients treated with allopurinol or benzbromarone.