Question

Assertion (A): Acute gouty arthritis is a common side effect of pyrazinamide therapy.

Reason (R): Pyrazinamide can cause hyperuricemia.

• A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
• B. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
• C. A is true but R is false
• D. A is false but R is true

Hint:

Pyrazinamide blocks uric acid excretion, and high uric acid is what causes gout.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Check the Assertion.
Pyrazinamide, one of the first line anti tubercular drugs, is well known to trigger attacks of acute gouty arthritis in patients on treatment. This is a recognised and fairly common side effect during the intensive phase of anti tubercular therapy. So the Assertion is true.

Step 2: Check the Reason.
Pyrazinamide is broken down into pyrazinoic acid, which blocks the kidney's ability to excrete uric acid. This raises the blood uric acid level, producing hyperuricemia. This is also a true and well documented pharmacological fact.

Step 3: Link the two statements.
Raised uric acid in the blood is exactly the mechanism that causes urate crystals to deposit in joints and trigger gout attacks. So the hyperuricemia named in the Reason is the direct cause of the gouty arthritis named in the Assertion, making the Reason a correct explanation.

Step 4: Rule out the other codes.
The option where R is true but does not explain A does not fit, because the causal link here is direct. The options that call A or R false do not fit, since both statements are accurate pharmacology.

Final Answer:
Both statements are true, and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion.