The significant disease-modifying benefits of biweekly treatment with pegloticase were evident within 6 months and, of note, the improvements in physical function and quality of life scores exceeding the minimal clinically important difference in pegloticase-treated patients, when considered in light of the deterioration in pain and quality of life seen in placebo patients in these studies, provide evidence that "chronic elevations in uric acid are associated with significant functional impairment as measured by several criteria," they said, explaining that this relationship has previously been difficult to distinguish from functional impairment associated with the serious comorbidities common in gout patients.
These studies were funded by Savient Pharmaceuticals, the maker of pegloticase. Dr. Sundy reported receiving fees for consulting and grants from Ardea Bioscience, Novartis, Nuon Therapeutics, Regeneron, and Savient Pharmaceuticals as well as payment for lectures, including service on the speakers bureau for Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America. Other authors also disclosed relationships with Savient Pharmaceuticals and other companies. Complete disclosures are included in the JAMA article.