Is prednisone as effective as indomethacin for the treatment of acute gout?

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Why is this study important?

Gout, already the most prevalent form of inflammatory arthritis, appears to have a rising incidence.[1] Gout impairs quality of life and appears to be linked to all-cause mortality in general and cardiovascular mortality in particular. These observations may be the result of an association of gout with lifestyle (i.e., alcohol, dietary, and subsequent metabolic syndrome choices). These comorbidities impact pharmacologic selection. This study seeks to determine the treatment efficacy of steroids versus nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for emergency department (ED) patients with acute gout.

Which, if any, threats to validity are most likely to have an impact on the results and how?

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