Gouty arthritis, hyperuricaemia or otherwise known as urate crystal deposition disease has an estimates prevalence of about 3% in the adult population
Symptomatic gout is more common in middle aged men and post menopausal women but can occur in younger patients as well
Gout can be diagnosed by assessing the affected joint with X-rays, the fluid in an affected joint can be assessed or your doctor might use a combination of a blood test and clinical history
Gout typically has three different stages:
- Gout flares
- ●Intercritical gout (a time period between flares where a patient is asymptomatic)
- ●Chronic gouty arthritis and tophaceous gout
Gouty flares can be triggered by multiple factors like
- diet
- drugs/medications
- alcohol
- hospitalization
- trauma
There are two main reasons to treat Gout. Firstly is to minimize regular gout attacks (thus to manage the pain and prevent joint damage) and secondly to minimize renal complications of hyperuricaemia and kidney stones
Treatment would include urate lowering medications and lifestyle modifications. Here I often refer to a dietitian to assist in the process
Click on the link for some lifestyle tips : Lifestyle tips for Gout
References
https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Gout
Uptodate
What are the symptoms of gout and how is it diagnosed?
Gout mostly presents as pain in the large joints or a big toe. It can be diagnosed with a blood tests or special X-rays