Flares are the visible part of a longer process
Urate crystals can remain between attacks. Long-term management aims to reduce the conditions that allow crystals to persist.
Treat-to-target uses repeated urate measurements
When urate-lowering therapy is used, treatment is adjusted against repeated serum urate measurements rather than judged only by how someone feels that week.
Consistency matters
Crystal burden falls over time, not overnight. Early flares can still happen after urate-lowering therapy begins or changes.