Definition | Causes | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Prevention

Definition

Gout happens when uric acid crystals build up in the joints. This causes the joints to be inflamed. If the crystals build up in the kidneys, kidney stones may result.

Causes

Gout typically occurs if you have high levels of uric acid in your blood. A high level of uric acid in the blood is identified by the term hyperuricemia. However, you could also have normal uric levels and still have gout.

The liver metabolizes uric acid, and the kidneys get rid of it through the urine. Levels of uric acid build up when:

  • Too much uric acid is produced
  • Not enough uric acid is eliminated

If you have gout and hyperuricemia, your body doesn't eliminate enough uric acid.

Risk Factors

These factors increase your chance of developing gout. All causes of hyperuricemia are risk factors for gout.

Risk factors include:

  • Obesity, sudden weight gain, or rapid weight loss
  • Age: over 40 years old
  • Sex: male
  • Family members with gout
  • Diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide
  • Certain medications, such as aspirin
  • High-purine diet (uric acid occurs when purines are broken down), for example:
    • Liver and other organ meats
    • Dried beans and peas
    • Anchovies
    • Gravies
  • Diet that includes high-fructose drinks, like sugar-sweetened sodas and orange juice
  • Alcohol use, especially binge drinking
  • Certain types of cancer or cancer treatments (such as, cytotoxic drugs)
  • Medications (such as, antiseizure, anti-rejection medications)
  • Dehydration
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Kidney disease

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

  • Sudden onset of severe pain in an inflamed joint, usually starting in the big toe
  • Joints that are red, hot, swollen, and very tender
  • Increased pain 24-36 hours after the onset of symptoms

Gout of the Big Toe

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Most people with gout have another attack within two years. This attack may affect many different joints. With recurrent gout, tophi can form. Tophi are chalky deposits of uric acid that commonly occur in the elbows and earlobes.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. A sample of fluid from the affected joint will be taken. This fluid will be tested for uric acid crystals.

Other tests may include:

Treatment

Treatment depends on whether the gout is acute or recurrent.

In general, the sooner treatment begins for an acute attack, the more effective it is. Treatment depends on:

  • Onset of symptoms
  • Number of joints affected
  • Previous responses to treatment
  • Overall health

Putting a warm pad or an ice pack on the joint may ease the pain. Keeping the weight of clothes or bed covers off the joint can also help.

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for example:
    • Indomethacin
    • Ibuprofen
    • Naproxen
  • Corticosteroids—used if NSAIDs are not effective or not recommended
    • A study found that people given corticosteroid plus acetaminophen had fewer adverse effects than those given NSAID plus acetaminophen.
  • Colchicine—used to prevent gout attacks, but seldom used as a treatment for an acute attack; Note: This drug has many adverse effects, so it is rarely used first.
  • Consume a low-purine diet.
  • Avoid alcohol.
  • If you're overweight, lose weight gradually. Rapid weight loss can cause a gout attack.
  • Ask your doctor if any of your medications can cause high uric acid levels.
  • Drink a lot of fluids.

If you have recurrent gouty arthritis or an initial attack with hyperuricemia, you may be given medication:

  • To lower the production of uric acid (such as, allopurinol)
  • To increase the excretion of uric acid by the kidneys (such as, probenecid or sulfinpyrazone)

In some cases, low-dose colchicine may also be used to prevent recurrent attacks.

If you are diagnosed with gout, follow your doctor's instructions.

Prevention

To reduce your chance of getting gout: