Initiation of Urate Lowering Therapy (ULT)

Richard Lee Meng Kam

The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 52 No. 3 - Chronic Disease Management 2026

Initiation of Urate Lowering Therapy (ULT)

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Author(s):

Richard Lee Meng Kam

Published in:

The Singapore Family Physician Vol 52 No 3 - Chronic Disease Management 2026

Publication date:

7 March 2026

ISSN:

0377-5305

Abstract

Gout is an inflammatory crystal arthritis characterised by hyperuricaemia and deposition of monosodium urate crystals (MSU) into joints and soft tissues. Urate-lowering therapy (ULT) is the cornerstone of long term managing chronic hyperuricemia and recurrent flares in patients with chronic tophaceous gout. Early ULT results in suppression of serum uric acid (SUA) and dissolution of deposited MSU crystals and tophi, thus preventing joint erosion complications.