(GP)

Overview

• Gout → acute inflammatory monoarthritis caused by precipitation of monosodium urate crystals in joints
• Risk Factors → hyperuricaemia, male, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, alcohol use, consumption of meat & seafood
• Hyperuricaemia is the strongest RF → caused by underexcretion of uric acid (90% of cases - idiopathic, renal failure (CKD), thiazide diuretics) or overproduction of uric acid (10% - tumour lysis syndrome)

• Pseudogout (CPPD) → Deposition of Calcium Pyrophosphate crystals within the joint space
• M=F, age >50 yrs (increasing age most important RF)
• Usually idiopathic
• Risk Factors → hyperparathyroidism (due to increased serum calcium), haemochromatosis, acromegaly

Making Diagnosis

Clinical Features:

Gout ⇒

• Rapid-onset severe pain
• Swollen, red, stiff joint
• Asymmetrical joint distribution