FK-KMK UGM. The Department of Internal Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FK-KMK UGM), held a Visiting Professor Guest Lecture featuring Prof. Kichul Shin, MD, Ph.D., a rheumatology expert from Seoul National University. The event, held at the FK-KMK UGM Auditorium, attracted more than 150 participants, including students, residents, and the general public.
The event was opened with a warm welcome from Prof. Dr. dr. Nyoman Kertia, SpPD-KR, who expressed his admiration for the lecture presented. “An excellent lecture, with an outstanding prototype from an expert. Your presence is very beneficial for us, Prof. Shin,” he stated.
Dr. Ayu Paramaiswari, SpPD-KR, also highlighted the importance of international collaboration in FK-KMK UGM’s development. “Internationalization is one of FK-KMK’s core visions, and impactful collaboration is crucial,” she remarked.
In his lecture titled “The Ultimate Gout Case Series: Reduce the Urate ‘Burden’ in Patients”, Prof. Kichul Shin discussed gout, a metabolic disease caused by elevated uric acid levels in the body. Gout is often characterized by acute or chronic arthritis due to the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in joints and connective tissues.
“Gout commonly affects middle-aged to elderly men, as well as postmenopausal women,” explained Prof. Shin. He also emphasized the risks of uric acid crystal deposition in the kidneys, which could lead to nephrolithiasis or uric acid kidney stones.
One of the cases discussed involved a 52-year-old male with a history of diabetes mellitus, who experienced a sudden onset of gout pain in his left foot that worsened within hours. Clinical examination showed a blood pressure of 145/95 mmHg, a body mass index (BMI) of 28, a serum uric acid level of 7.1 mg/dL, and serum creatinine of 2.1 mg/dL.
Prof. Shin also covered strategies for managing acute gout attacks, including anti-inflammatory treatments such as NSAIDs and corticosteroids, as well as the importance of adjusting uric-lowering therapy (ULT) doses based on individual patient factors. “It is crucial to consider factors like patient compliance, access to healthcare, and the preferences of both the patient and the physician when determining the treatment plan,” he added.
This event underscored FK-KMK UGM’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). (Isroq Adi Subakti/Reporter)
