Gout is a form of microcrystal synovitis caused by the deposition of monosodium urate monohydrate in the synovium. It is caused by chronic hyperuricaemia (uric acid > 450 µmol/l)

Gout is a form of inflammatory mono-arthritis. Patients typically have episodes lasting several days when their gout flares and are often symptom-free between episodes. The acute episodes typically develop maximal intensity with 12 hours.

Risk factors:

• Recent surgery
• Recent chest infection
• Older age
• Male sex
• menopausal status (rare in pre-menopausal women unless renal failure or other underlying disease)
• Consumption of meat, seafood, alcohol
• recent fasting
• Medications: diuretics, ciclosporin, pyrazinamide, aspirin
• Genetic susceptibility
• Polycythaemia
• High cell turnover - Due to ,haematological malignancies, myoproliferative disorders, chemotherapy induced cell death

PC

*presence of risk factors