A drug class that’s commonly used to prevent cardiovascular and kidney problems in adults with type 2 diabetes may have significant gout prevention potential.
That’s according to a study of older adults with type 2 diabetes who were newly prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors. These study participants had a lower incidence of gout than their peers who were prescribed an alternative; GLP-1 receptor agonists, reported lead author Michael Fralick, M.D.
High uric acid levels are common in patients with type 2 diabetes and can lead to painful joints. SGLT2 inhibitors, (such as Invokana and Farxiga) prevent glucose reabsorption and can lower serum uric acid levels, lowering gout risk, the authors explained.
If the results are confirmed, “SGLT2 inhibitors might be an effective class of medication for the prevention of gout for patients with diabetes or metabolic disorders,” Fralick and colleagues concluded.
The study was published online Jan. 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
