Gout is a kind of arthritis that results from an increased level of uric acid in the blood, leading to joint inflammation.  It may occurs due to a genetic defect that affects purine metabolism or due to other factors.  However, most of gout attacks appear to be related to either a sudden increase or a decrease in uric acid.  The decreased or increased level of uric acid in the blood, causes urate crystals to be deposited on joints, initiating an inflammatory process.  With frequent attacks or in chronic gout, there is an accumulation of sodium urate crystals, known as tophi  that are eventually deposited in peripheral areas (great toe, hands and ear).  Acute gout usually affects only one joint.

Gout Causes and Risk Factors

The risk of acquiring gout increases with age and with an increased body mass index. It is also more common in males than in females.  Other risk factors associated with gout can be classified as those that lead to overproduction and under production of uric acid.

Risks Factors that Leads to Over Production of Uric Acid are;

Risks Factors that Leads to Under Production of Uric Acid are;

Signs and Symptoms of Gout
Signs and symptoms of gout can be categorized, depending on the stage of gout. There are four stages of gout;  Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia, Acute Gout Arthritis, Intercritical Gout and Chronic Tophaceous Gout.

Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia

No symptoms but the uric serum levels is usually above 7mg/dL - normal serum levels are 2.4-6.0 mg/dL in female and 3.4-7.0 mg/dL in males.

Acute Gout Arthritis

Acute arthritis is the most common symptom for people with increased serum uric acid, developing gout.  A preceding action or a trigger, such as a food, medication usually initiate the attack, occuring mostly at night. The patient may be awakened with severe pain, redness, swelling or edema of the affected joint. The most commonly affected joints are joints of the big toe.  Less commonly affected joints are the wrist, finger and elbow.

Intercritical Gout

Intercritical gout stage is usually with no symptoms. Gout attacks may disappear for months or years.  However, eventually the patient may experience an exacerbation that is followed by frequent episodes of attacks, involving more than one joint.

Chronic Tophaceous Gout

With Chronic or frequent gout attacks, sodium urate cyrstals called Tophi may be deposited in the synovium, subchondral bone, intrapatellar, achiles tendons and within other underlying joints.

Gout Complications

Possible complications associated with gout are;

Gout Diagnostic Tests

Gout Treatment

How to Prevent Gout
The following are preventive measures that you can take to prevent a gout attack;