Researchers analyzed two clinical trials involving 383 people with long-term gout. The study looked at patients who had tophi, which are small lumps of crystals under the skin, compared to those who did not have these lumps. Both groups were treated with allopurinol to reach a specific target for serum urate levels.
After 12 months, the results showed that the medication worked similarly for both groups. About 70.3% of patients with tophi reached the target level, while 73.6% of those without tophi reached it. Additionally, the number of people who stayed flare-free in the month before the end of the study was similar between both groups.
While tophi represent a higher amount of crystals in the body, this study suggests that their presence does not change the effectiveness of allopurinol. This finding may be helpful for patients with advanced gout. However, these results are based on a specific analysis of two trials, and you should talk to your doctor about your specific treatment plan.
