4 - Gout Flashcards
What is gout?
A form of arthritis which is caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in joints
What can chronic gout cause?
- joint destruction
- decreased kidney function
What is uric acid from?
It’s a breakdown product of purines
What is asymptomatic hyperuricemia?
A state of elevated levels of uric acid in the blood without symptoms
**Precursor to developing gout
What are the 2 types of gout?
- excessive production of uric acid
- reduced excretion of uric acid
What are some purine-rich foods?
- Shellfish
- Organ meats - liver, brains, kidneys
- Sweetbreads
What’s a tophi?
Uric acid crystal deposit - usually in other tissues (helix of ear)
What are the 4 distinct stages of gout?
- Asymptomatic
- Acute
- Intercritical - no pain or swelling, relatively symptom free
- Chronic - tophi, polyarticular attacks
What drug treats gout by inhibition of neutrophil migration and phagocytic activity in inflamed joints?
colchicine (Colcrys)
What is the only indication for colchicine?
Acute attack of gout
What is a side effect of colchicine?
GI toxicity
What gout medication inhibits xanthine oxidase, that inhibits the synthesis of uric acid?
allopurinol (Zyloprim)
What are the indications of allopurinol (Zyloprim)?
- Chronic gout
- Chemotherapy and radiation
What are the side effects of allopurinol (Zyloprim)?
- hepatotoxic
- pruritic rash
- allergic skin and blood reactions
What gout medication increases the excretion of uric acid = “uricosuric agent”?
probenecid (Benemid)
