Safety and Efficacy of Canakinumab Prefilled Syringes in Frequently Flaring Acute Gouty Arthritis Patients

Inclusion criteria: * 3 or more gout flares within last year * Contraindication, intolerance or lack of efficacy for NSAIDs and/or colchicine * Body mass index of less than or equal to 45 kg/m2 Exclusion criteria: * Use of the following therapies (within varying protocol defined timeframes): corticosteroids, narcotics, topical ice/cold packs, chronic opiate treatment, NSAIDs (such as aspirin), colchicine. * Hemodialysis * Live vaccine within 3 months before first dose * Donation or loss of 400 mL or more within 3 months before first dose * Gout brought on by other factors such as chemotherapy, lead, transplant, etc. * Presence of other acute inflammatory arthritis such as Rheumatoid Arthritis * Any conditions or significant medical problems that puts the patient at an unacceptable immunological risk to receive this type of therapy such as HIV, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis and other infections/conditions * Significant cardiovascular conditions such as uncontrolled hypertension * Significant medical diseases such as uncontrolled diabetes, thyroid disease * History of malignancy of any organ system within the past 5 years * Women who are pregnant or nursing * Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply