Gout (patient information)

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What is gout?

How do I know if I have gout and what are the symptoms of gout?

The symptoms of gout may be sudden and usually start at night.

Sudden onset of a hot, red, swollen joint. The base of the big toe is most common affected, but other joints of the feet, ankles, knees, hands and wrists can also be involved. The joint hurts more when you touch it.
Intense joint pain: The pain is likely to be most severe within the first 12 to 24 hours after it begins.
Lingering discomfort.

Who is at risk for gout?

Hypertension
Diabetes
Hypercholesterolemia
Overweight
Alcohol abuse
Foods that are rich in purines, such as salmon, sardines, organ meats, asparagus, mushrooms and herring.
Medications such as hydrochlorothiazide, niacin, aspirin, cyclosporine, pyrazinamide and ethambutol, and some drugs used to treat cancer.
Family history of gout
Male, or female after menopause

How to know you have gout?

Serum uric acid: This blood test results can be misleading because an elevated serum uric acid level does not indicate gout. Some people who have high uric acid levels may never experience gout. And the normal level of serum uric acid in some patients may show signs and symptoms of gout.
Complete blood count: The level of CBC may be elevated in patients with gout.
Blood chemistry including renal function and liver function: These functions need to be assessed before therapy.
Synovial fluid test: When a patient demonstrate the signs of acute inflammatory arthritis, it is necessary to aspirate synovial fluid of the involved joint to rule out an infectious arthritis. During the procedure, the doctor may use a needle to draw fluid from your affected joint. Based on the discovery of urate crystals in the synovial fluid or soft tissues, the doctors can confirm the diagnosis.
Joint x-ray test: The goal of this test is to rule out other diseases that affect the joint. The most common radiographic findings in patients with gout include soft-tissue swelling or an absence of abnormalities.