Gout overview: Difference between revisions
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===Differentiating Gout from other Diseases=== | ===Differentiating Gout from other Diseases=== | ||
Gout needs to be differentiated from other diseases such as [[cellulitis]], [[rheumatoid arthritis]], [[septic arthritis]] and [[sarcoidosis]] as they present with similar symptoms. | Gout needs to be differentiated from other diseases such as [[cellulitis]], [[rheumatoid arthritis]], [[septic arthritis]] and [[sarcoidosis]] as they present with similar symptoms. | ||
===Epidemiology and Demographics=== | |||
Gout affects men in age group 40-50 years. It is more common in people from the Pacific Islands, and New Zealand. In the United States, gout is twice as prevalent in African American males as it is in Caucasians. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 17:51, 10 May 2013
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Gout (also called metabolic arthritis) is a disease due to a congenital disorder of uric acid metabolism. In this condition, monosodium urate or uric acid crystals are deposited on the articular cartilage of joints, tendons and surrounding tissues due to elevated concentrations of uric acid in the blood stream. This provokes an inflammatory reaction of these tissues. These deposits often increase in size and burst through the skin to form sinuses discharging a chalky white material.
Historical Perspective
Aulus Cornelius Celsus appeared to recognize many of the features of gout. Galen described gout as a discharge of the four humors of the body in unbalanced amounts into the joints.
Pathophysiology
Gout occurs when mono-sodium urate crystals form on the articular cartilage of joints, on tendons, and in the surrounding tissues. Purine metabolism gives rise to uric acid, which is normally excreted in the urine. Defects in the kidney may cause uric acid to build up in the blood, leading to hyperuricemia, and the subsequent formation of gout crystals.
Differentiating Gout from other Diseases
Gout needs to be differentiated from other diseases such as cellulitis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis and sarcoidosis as they present with similar symptoms.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Gout affects men in age group 40-50 years. It is more common in people from the Pacific Islands, and New Zealand. In the United States, gout is twice as prevalent in African American males as it is in Caucasians.