Clinical recommendation	Evidence rating	References
Serum uric acid measurements are useful in the evaluation of gout; however, they should not be used alone to confirm or exclude the diagnosis.	C	12,17,19
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and colchicine are effective treatments for acute gout.	B	20,22–25
In patients with gout, modifiable risk factors such as obesity, diuretic use, high-purine diet, and alcohol intake should be addressed.	B	13,14,17
Urate-lowering therapy is recommended for patients with recurrent gout attacks, tophi, or ongoing arthropathy with joint damage seen on a radiograph.	C	20
When initiating urate-lowering therapy, prophylaxis with low-dose colchicine for three to six months may reduce the risk of flare-ups.	B	20,28
During urate-lowering therapy, the target serum uric acid level is less than 6 mg per dL (355 μmol per L).	B	20,29
Allopurinol (Zyloprim) is the recommended first-line agent for urate-lowering therapy.	C	20