Gout

Question 1

What is Gout?

Answer 1

 Chronic heterogenous disorder of urate metabolism
 Most common form of inflammatory joint disease in men aged >40 years
 Was known as the disease of kings.

Characterised by;

hyperuricemia

deposition of monosodium urate monohydrate crystals in joints.

Chronic distruction of cartilage

Question 2

Classification of Gout

Answer 2

1. Primary gout (95%) - due to hyperuricemia.
2. Secondary (5%)

Question 3

Epidemiology of Gout

Answer 3

most common in middle age men, seen in up to 10% of males.

Common in post menopausal women

can be hereditary

Question 4

Predisposing Factors of Gout

Answer 4

• genetic
• alcohol abuse
• obesity
• high intake of purine containing foods.
• Age
• hyperuricemia
• infection
• renal failure

Question 5

Triggers of Gout

Answer 5

• injury
• surgery
• consumption of large volumes of alcohol and purine rich foods.
• fatigue
• illness

Question 6

Signs and Symptoms of Gout

Answer 6

• 1-2 joint are affected at a time
• cooler joints such as the feet are more commonly affected.
• podagra , pain in first MTP joint in feet
• common joints such big toe, ankles , wrist.

Question 7

Acute Gout

Answer 7

A sudden appearance within 12-14 hours. It lasts for a week or two.

Usually occurs overnight.

Skin is red-purplish, tight and shiny.

It is a throbbing pain, with rapid heart beat, fever, chills.

Question 8

Chronic Gout

Answer 8

Progressive joint damage, with more frequent attacks.

Restricts joint motion and leads to disability, and crippling deformity.

Joint pains most of the time.

Hard lumps of urate crystals, called tophi.