Gout

Gout (also called gouty arthritis, Greek name: podagra, from pod - foot and agra - trap) is a form of arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in joints. It is an intensely painful disease, which in most cases affects only one joint (monoarthritis), most commonly the big toe.

Pathogenesis

Although the exact cause of gout is not known, it is thought to be linked to defects in purine metabolism. Purine is an organic compound commonly found in the body and is metabolized by the body into uric acid. People with primary gout have either an increased production of uric acid or an impaired excretion of uric acid, or a combination of both.

Related Topics:
Purine - Excretion

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There are also different racial propensities to develop gout. The prevalence of gout is high among the peoples of the Pacific Islands, and the Maori of New Zealand, but paradoxically rare in the Australian aborigine despite the latter's higher mean concentration of serum uric acid (Roberts-Thomson 1999).

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Hyperuricemia is considered an aspect of the metabolic syndrome, although its prominence has been reduced in recent classifications. This explains the increased incidence of gout in obesity.

Related Topics:
Metabolic syndrome - Obesity

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Gout can also develop as co-morbidity of other diseases, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, renal disorders, and hemolytic anemia or due to use of diuretics, such as thiazide. This form of gout is often called secondary gout, and is commonly found in the elderly population.

Related Topics:
Diabetes - Hypertension - Renal - Hemolytic anemia - Diuretics - Thiazide

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