Gout is a disease involving uric acid deposits in the joints. The disorder causes pain, especially in the joints of the feet and legs. Chronic gout involves repeated episodes of joint pain.

See also: Gout - acute

Gout is caused by an overproduction of uric acid or a reduced ability of the kidney to get rid of uric acid. The exact cause is unknown. It is more common in males, postmenopausal women, and people with high blood pressure. Heavy alcohol use, diabetes, obesity, sickle cell anemia, and kidney disease also increase the risk.

The condition may also develop in people who take drugs that interfere with uric acid excretion.

Joint pain frequently starts during the night and is often described as throbbing, crushing, or excruciating. The affected joints show signs of warmth, redness, and tenderness. The pain tends to go away within several days. Chronic gout attacks, however, occur more often.

If several attacks of gout occur each year, it can lead to joint deformity and limited motion in joints. Uric acid deposits called tophi develop in cartilage tissue, tendons, and soft tissues. These tophi usually develop only after a patient has suffered from the disease for many years. Deposits also can occur in the kidneys, leading to chronic kidney failure.

There may be a current or previous medical history of acute arthritis in one joint. A physical examination of joints shows arthritis and tophi.

Tests that may be done include:

• Joint x-rays
• Synovial (joint) fluid analysis
• Uric acid blood test
• Uric acid urine test