Crystal arthropathies Flashcards
What causes gout?
Abnormal metabolism of Uric acid which causes Monosodium urate crystals to be deposited in soft tissues
What happens if gout is untreated?
Joint destruction
Renal damage
For how long is uric acid elevated before the onset of gout?
20 years
In which sex is gout most common in and why?
Men
Uric acid in men rise at puberty and peak age of onset is 4th -6th decade
In women uric acid rises at menopause peak age of onset is 6th-8th decade.
What is the pathophysiology of gout?
Clumps of negatively charged monosodium urate crystals coated with serum proteins are chemically inactive
A gout attack is triggered by uncoated crystals or a sudden large change in concentration
White blood cells migrate to the site of the monosodium cyrstal to remove the uric acid.
The crystals pop the cell
The cell releases proteins
The proteins attarct more white blood cells and cause inflammation and pain
The proteins lower the pH so more uric acid crystals form
At which age is gout most likely to occur?
after 30 years
Which type of joints in the body is gout most likley to affect?
Small joints in the lower extremity
Which joint in particular is infected with gout 50% of the time? What is it called when this joint is affected?
1st MTP joint
(first metatarsal joint on the big toe)
Podagra
When does a gout infection reach its maximum intensity?
8-15 hours
What is the name given for when the knew joint is infected with gout?
Gonagra
State 4 other complications of gout
1- Renal damage
2- Tophi in cartilage
3- Gout soteoarthropathy
4- Soft tissue tophi on hands
If someone’s joint is infected with gout, how would they describe it?
Red
Hot
Exquisitely tender
Pain starts acutely and usually at night
How long does the first gout attack last? How many joints are usually affected?
under 2 weeks
One joint is usually affected
What is the prognosis of a patient who has untreated gout?
Attacks become polyarticular
More proximal and upper extremity joints involved
Attacks more frequent and last longer
Chronic polyarticular arthritis almost symmetrical
Can affect other synovial structures
What are Tophi?
How long does it take for them to develop?
Permanent deposits of urate crystals which form on soft tissue. Cuased by untreated gout
Develop after 10 years
Describe how insufficient excretion of urine can increase the chances of contracting gout?
Uric acid is produced by purine metabolism
Humans remove uric acid via renal excretion and faeces
When uric acid excretion is not enough to maintain the level of urate in the body (serum) below the point of saturation (6.8 mg/dL) hyperuricemia develops
90% of patients have excess urate stores from insufficient excretion in urine