Patients present with one or more erythematous, swollen and painful joints with restricted movement. The big toe is frequently involved (podagra). Other commonly involved joints include the instep, ankle, knee and wrist joints. The attacks are sudden and typically last up to 8 to12 hours. Systemic involvement is rare and may be indicated by the presence of fever.

• Fever

  Systemic involvement is rare and may be indicated by the presence of fever. A detailed history and physical examination is often sufficient to form a diagnosis. [symptoma.com]

  [ 713.6 ] Staphylococcus 711.0 Streptococcus 711.0 syphilis (see also Syphilis) 094.0 [ 711.4 ] syringomyelia 336.0 [ 713.5 ] thalassemia (see also Thalassemia) 282.40 [ 713.2 ] tuberculosis (see also Tuberculosis, arthritis) 015.9 [ 711.4 ] typhoid fever [icd9data.com]

  The elderly patients were more likely to have fever (51.1%) during the attack than the young (20.8%) and middle-aged (30.8%) patients (P < 0.001 by χ² test). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  He had intermittent fever and acute arthritis in several joints leading to hospitalization and enforced bed rest for 6 weeks. The details of his illness and its possible etiology are reviewed. [oadoi.org]

• Family History of Gout

  Not everyone with high levels of uric acid will develop gout. Having a strong family history of gout may increase one’s risk for gout, but this does not mean that everyone with a family history of gout will have the disorder. [my.clevelandclinic.org]

  Patients with non-synonymous allelic variants had an earlier onset of gout (42 vs 48 years, P = 0.0143) and a greater likelihood of a familial history of gout (41% vs 27%, odds ratio = 1.96, P = 0.053). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  In some people, gout is caused by a combination of these factors. People with a family history of gout are more likely to develop the condition. About 90% of patients with gout are men older than 40. [drugs.com]

• Toe Swelling

  Gout most often affects the joints in the feet, particularly at the base of the big toe (swelling, pain, and redness of the big toe is called podagra). However, it also commonly affects other areas: the ankle, instep, knee, wrist, and elbow. [merckmanuals.com]

• Toe Pain

  Intense Big Toe Pain From Gout: A Classic Symptom of an Attack Pain is the most dramatic, the most common, and the most noticeable symptom of gout. For many people, the first gout attack or flare-up occurs in the big toe. [everydayhealth.com]

  Big toe pain occurring on most days for at least a month within the last year was reported by 16% of those with gout compared to 6% of controls (adjusted OR 2.94, 95% CI 1.62 to 5.34). [jfootankleres.biomedcentral.com]

• Joint Swelling

  Clinical outcomes evaluated included pain, joint swelling and tenderness, activities of daily living, patient global assessment, recurrence, intermediate outcomes of serum urate levels, and harms. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  These are the presence of a clear history of at least two attacks of painful joint swelling with complete resolution within two weeks, a clear history or observation of podagra, the presence of a tophus, and a rapid response to colchicine within 48 hours [doi.org]

• Joint Deformity

  If left untreated, gout can cause painful joint deformities and lead to kidney disease. Gout was once associated with overindulgence of rich foods and wine, but in truth, anyone can get gout. [nm.org]

  Chronic symptoms such as joint deformity and limitation of motion in affected joints may occur if several attacks of gout occur each year. Uric acid deposits called tophi develop in cartilage tissue, tendons, and soft tissues. [mountsinai.org]

  Having chronic gout means the disease has caused permanent damage to the affected joints, producing persistent inflammation, joint deformity, and extensive deposits of crystallized uric acid (tophi). [columbiadoctors.org]

  The formation of these mineralized masses can progressively erode bone and cartilage tissue and lead to chronic arthritis and joint deformity. Verywell / Emily Roberts Causes Similarly, genetics can play a part. [verywellhealth.com]

  Severe RA can cause joint deformity if left untreated. Cartilage is a firm but flexible connective tissue in your joints. It protects the joints by absorbing the pressure and shock created when you move and put stress on them. [healthline.com]

• Osteoporosis

  Arthritic, rheumatic and autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis, are common conditions treated by rheumatologists. [nm.org]

  Lupus Multiple sclerosis Osteoarthritis Osteoporosis Polymyositis Psoriatic arthritis Rheumatic fever Rheumatoid arthritis Scleroderma Type 1 diabetes [uvahealth.com]

  […] recognized for its dedication to advancing knowledge and translating research findings into more effective diagnosis and treatment of patients with rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE), osteoporosis [uabmedicine.org]

  Osteoarthritis in the big toe (Hallux valgus or hallux rigidus) or fingers (Heberdenske knuts) Less acute symptoms Do not expect high uric acid in blood test X-rays indicate osteoarthritis Joint injury caused by another disease Often in feet Stress fracture at osteoporosis [bindevevssykdommer.no]

  No published data are available concerning the frequency of such disorders as Paget’s disease of bone, osteoporosis, soft tissue rheumatism, etc, in Australian Aborigines and there are only preliminary data concerning the more common rheumatic disorders [doi.org]

• Joint Effusion

  Joint effusion A traumatic right knee effusion. Note the swelling lateral to the kneecap as marked by the arrow. Specialty Orthopedics, rheumatology A joint effusion is the presence of increased intra-articular fluid.[1] It may affect any joint. [en.wikipedia.org]

  Joints joint effusion (earliest sign) preservation of joint space until late stages of the disease an absence of periarticular osteopenia eccentric erosions the typical appearance is the presence of well-defined “punched-out” erosions with sclerotic margins [radiopaedia.org]

  […] distribution) < 50,000 per mm 3 Positive No crystals Joint effusion; radiography results otherwise normal early in the disease Table 2 Differential Diagnosis of Acute Gout Diagnosis Joint distribution Synovial fluid findings WBC count* Gram stain/culture [aafp.org]

  The medical term for excessive fluid in a joint is a "joint effusion." Gout frequently involves joints in the lower extremities. The classic location for gout to occur is the big toe (first metatarsophalangeal joint). [medicinenet.com]

  Joint effusions and tophi can be well demonstrated by joint ultrasonography, and this is often helpful before joint puncture or to monitor the course of the disease (EL III) ( e16, e17 ). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Arthralgia

  (Redirected from Joint pain) Arthralgia Specialty Rheumatology Arthralgia (from Greek arthro-, joint + -algos, pain) literally means joint pain.[1][2] Specifically, arthralgia is a symptom of injury, infection, illness (in particular arthritis), or an [en.wikipedia.org]

  The patient has unchanged arthralgia and the size and number of tophi remain the same as before treatment in spite of active treatment for 3 years. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  The most frequently reported adverse effects are diarrhea, back pain, headaches, and arthralgias. Also, patients should be monitored for thromboembolic events and increased hepatic transaminases. [clevelandclinicmeded.com]

  Common AEs included back pain, headache, hypertension, arthralgia and gamma‐glutamyl transferase increase. [doi.org]

• Erythema

  Acute gouty arthritis typically presents with rapid development of severe joint pain, swelling, and tenderness that reaches its maximum within just 6-12 h, especially with overlying erythema, most classically in the first metatarsophalangeal joint. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  [citation needed] Types[edit] Erythema ab igne Erythema chronicum migrans Erythema induratum Erythema infectiosum (or fifth disease) Erythema marginatum Erythema migrans Erythema multiforme (EM) Erythema nodosum Erythema toxicum Erythema elevatum diutinum [en.wikipedia.org]

  Outcomes included pain, bleeding, joint swelling, erythema, tenderness, activity limitation, response to therapy, quality of life, time to resolution, supplementary analgesics, and adverse events. [doi.org]

• Gouty Tophus

  The surgery combined with decreasing trioxypurine treatment can improve the treatment outcome of gouty tophus. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Malignant fibrous histiocytoma arising in a gouty tophus at the second metacarpophalangeal joint. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2006 ;59: 775 – 8. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI 2. Gentili, A. The advanced imaging of gouty tophi. [doi.org]

  The trusted provider of medical information since 1899 Gout Crystals Gout Crystals Brightly birefringent, needle-shaped, urate crystals aspirated from a gouty tophus can be seen in this image taken with a polarizing microscope and a red compensator filter [msdmanuals.com]

A detailed history and physical examination is often sufficient to form a diagnosis.

Laboratory Tests

• Complete blood count
• Serum uric acid levels
• Serum electrolytes
• Serum creatinine 

Imaging 

The imaging techniques that currently have a role in the imaging of gout include conventional radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography, dual energy computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine [8]. 

Test results

Axial gouty arthropathy should be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic low back pain, mainly when several risk factors for gout are present [9]. The presence of tophi is diagnostic. In other cases, a diagnosis can be based on physical examination and confirmed by lab tests.

• Nephrolithiasis

  Uricosuric agents are alternative therapies in patients with preserved renal function and no history of nephrolithiasis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  […] gout in women should prompt a more detailed work up of enzyme deficiency; patients may complain of very mild attacks developing w/o provocation that abate w/o specific treatment; podagara : classic presentation of acute attack of first MTP joint; hand: nephrolithiasis [wheelessonline.com]

  ZURAMPIC Prescribing Information At doses greater than 200 mg a day of ZURAMPIC with an XOI, the risk of renal-related adverse events and nephrolithiasis was higher and should not be used. [fda.gov]

• Hypertriglyceridemia

  However, some cases of back pain with radiculopathy secondary to this etiology have been reported. 56-year old male patient, with history of arterial hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, obesity, glucose intolerance and alcohol abuse, diagnosed with gout [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  […] obtained in less than half patients' male / female ratio ranging from 7:1 to 9:1 females with gout tend to be postmenopausal; pathophysiology predisposing conditions: common chronic diseases assoc w/ gout include alcoholism, obesity, hypertension, CAD, and hypertriglyceridemia [wheelessonline.com]

• Uric Acid Increased

  When your body breaks down purines, the process releases uric acid. More uric acid increases your risk of having gout. Alcohol can also reduce the rate at which your body removes uric acid. Not everyone who drinks will develop gout. [healthline.com]

Gout, whilst in principle considered to be well understood and simple to treat, often presents diagnostic and management challenges, with evidence to suggest that it is often inadequately treated and poor compliance is a major issue [9].

Medications

Treatment of gout is mainly the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids and colchicine. Colchicine is a potent anti-inflammatory drug that has a narrow therapeutic index. Indicated for treating gout and familial mediterranean fever, it inhibits mitosis by interfering with microtubule formation and arresting cell division [10]. Analgesics may be prescribed to relieve pain. For prophylaxis, xanthine oxidase inhibitors like Allopurinol and Febuxostat may be given.

Lifestyle Modifications

Obese patients must be encouraged to reduce weight and to start light, regular exercise. Diet should be low in foods which have a high purine content.

The natural course of gout has 4 stages. First is asymptomatic hyperuricemia which mostly occurs near puberty in males and after menopause in females. After a few years, the second stage, acute gouty arthritis, occurs. This stage is characterized by sudden, excruciating pain, usually in just one joint; 50% occur in the first metatarsophalengeal joint [6]. Eventually other joints become involved. This stage, if left untreated, may last for a few weeks after which gradual resolution occurs, called the asymptomatic intercritical stage.

Now the prognosis varies. The patient may have a second gout attack and progress to the fourth stage called chronic tophaceous gout. Or in some patients, the disease may completely resolve. Overall, with appropriate treatment, gout has a good prognosis.

Patients with gout have as much as 1000 times more uric acid in the body as unaffected individuals do and are almost twice (1.97 times) as likely to develop renal stones as healthy individuals are [7]. They also are prone to develop metabolic syndrome which increases chances of diabetes. Other complications include urate nephropathy due to tophi production in the kidneys resulting in pyelonephritis, recurrent fractures, secondary infections and nerve damage.

Genetics

The heritability of serum urate levels is estimated at 63% [2]. Gout tends to run in families and several genes have been implicated like URAT1, GLUT9, ABCG2.

Other

Although genetic factors have been strongly associated with hyperuricemia, environmental and other state-of-health factors are responsible for the majority of the gout burden in developed countries [3]. Consumption of fructose-rich foods and beverages is associated with an increased risk of gout in both men and women [4]. Other factors include anemia, obesity, renal insufficiency, cancer and hypertension.

Incidence

Gout has a high prevalence and is estimated to affect 1-2% population of the United States, and is becoming more common [5].

Sex

It is more common in males.

Race

Gout is more common in some races and rare in others. It is more common in African-Americans than in Whites.

Gout is marked by transient attacks of acute arthritis initiated by crystallization of urates within and about joints. It occurs either due to one of two pathways.

• Overproduction of uric acid

Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism. One of the pathways involved in purine metabolism is called the salvage pathway in which the enzyme hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT) plays an important role. If this enzyme is deficient, it may lead to increased production of uric acid by the de novo pathway, resulting in gout.

• Reduced excretion

Plasma levels of uric acid are kept within normal range by the four-part excretion system (filtration, reabsorption, secretion and post-secretory reabsorption) of the kidneys. 90% of the filtered urate is reabsorbed by the action of URAT1 gene. Decreased filtration and underexcretion is the primary cause behind gout.

Morphological Changes

• Acute arthritis

Central to the pathogenesis of the arthritis is precipitation of monosodium nitrate (MSU) crystals into the joints [6]. The synovium is edematous, congested and filled with an inflammatory infiltrate.

• Chronic tophaceous arthritis

Tophi are the pathognomonic hallmark of gout. They are large aggregates of urate crystals surrounded by inflammatory cells and they may occur in joint cavities, articular cartilage, tendons, ligaments, even inside kidneys and skin. This subtype occurs due to repetitive precipitation of urate crystals in acute attacks.

Gout can be prevented by taking a balanced diet which is particularly low in high protein sources such as liver, kidney or sardines, and by avoiding drinks with high sugar content. Lifestyle modifications such as a regular 30 minute walk and weight control can also help.

Gout is defined as an arthritic condition resulting from the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in and/or around joints, following long-standing hyperuricemia [1]. It is a very common condition in both developing and developed countries, but fortunately, it can be easily managed.

Definition

Gout is a painful inflammatory condition that can affect a variety of joints, causes significant distress and is associated with a number of comorbidities. 

Cause

Several genetic and environmental factors play a role in causing this disease. Whatever the underlying etiology, gout is primarily due to increased levels of uric acid in blood.

Symptoms

Symptoms include swelling, redness and pain in joints. The most commonly involved joint is of the big toe. Gradually, more joints become involved such as the rest of the toes, instep, ankle, knee, hip, wrist and elbow. In some cases, joints of the vertebrae also become involved. 

Treatment

Treatment includes dietery modifications, lifestyle changes, weight reduction and analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications. Gout can easily be managed.

1. Bardin T, Richette P. Definition of hyperuricemia and gouty conditions. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2014 Mar;26(2):186-91. 
2. Yang Q, Guo CY, Cupples LA, Levy D, Wilson PW, Fox CS. Genome-wide search for genes affecting serum uric acid levels: the Framingham Heart Study. Metabolism. Nov 2005;54(11):1435-41. 
3. Vitart V, Rudan I, Hayward C, Gray NK, Floyd J, Palmer CN, et al. SLC2A9 is a newly identified urate transporter influencing serum urate concentration, urate excretion and gout. Nat Genet. Apr 2008;40(4):437-42.
4. Choi HK, Curhan G. Soft drinks, fructose consumption, and the risk of gout in men: prospective cohort study. BMJ. Feb 9 2008;336(7639):309-12. 
5. Chen LX, Schumacher HR. Gout: an evidence-based review. J Clin Rheumatol 2008 14 (5 Suppl): S55–62. 
6. Robbins and Cotran. Pathologic Basis of Disease. 8th ed. V Kumar, AK Abbas, N Fausto, JC Aster, et al, eds. Pa: Saunders Elsevier. Ch 26 p 1242-46.
7. Bernad B, Narvaez J, Diaz-Torné C, Diez-Garcia M, Valverde J. Clinical image: corneal tophus deposition in gout. Arthritis Rheum. Mar 2006;54(3):1025
8. Chowalloor PV, Siew TK, Keen HI. Imaging in gout: A review of the recent developments. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2014 Aug;6(4):131-43. 
9. Cardoso FN, Omoumi P, Wieers G, Maldague B, Malghem J, Lecouvet FE, Vande Berg BC. Spinal and sacroiliac gouty arthritis: report of a case and review of the literature. Acta Radiol Short Rep. 2014 Sep 17;3(8):2047981614549269.
10. Stromberg P, Wills BK, Rose SR. Gout exacerbation, weakness, hypotension--Dx? J Fam Pract. 2014 Aug;63(8):455-6.