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| 07th Jul 2008 | |||||||||||
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What is Gout? Gout is a disease in which there is a build-up of uric acid in the body. A relatively small amount comes directly from the food we eat. Uric acid forms in the blood of healthy people as a breakdown product of various chemical processes. Normally, the body rids itself of any excess through the kidneys into the urine, so levels tend to be higher in people with kidney disease.  If
the body cannot get rid of enough uric acid, there is a build-up of uric
acid, some will be deposited in joints. This may cause acute
inflammation of the affected joints (acute gouty arthritis).
The
first attack of gout usually involves the big toe or "bunion"
joint. The ankle, foot and knee may also be affected. It can also occur
in the upper limbs, such as over the point of the elbow, occasionally in
the hand and rarely in the other joints.
Attacks
usually occur very quickly, often overnight, unlike most other forms of
arthritis, which usually start more gradually. The affected joint
rapidly becomes very painful, often to the point that even the weight of
a bedsheet is unbearable. Untreated, each attack lasts approximately 1-2
weeks. After the first attack, which almost always involves only one
joint, it is usually months or years before the next one occurs. But
without the right management, attacks become more frequent, last longer
and may involve other joints. Repeated attacks can lead to progressive
joint damage, disability and crippling (chronic gout).
Attacks
often occur for no obvious reason but can be triggered by:
 Uric
acid can also be deposited in other tissues. This usually occurs near
affected joints or around the elbow, toes, fingers and even the outer
edge of the ear. These deposits look like little white pimples on the
skin and are called tophi (Fig 2). Tophi usually take many years to be
easily seen.
In
some people, excess uric acid can be deposited in the kidney as stones,
or less commonly in the bladder as gravel or multiple stones. This can
cause problems with kidney functions and sometimes, severe pain.
Remember
Who gets Gout? Uric acid in the blood stream travels in the clear part of the blood - the plasma- in the form of a salt called urate. The plasma urate is measurable and normally tends to be higher in men than women. Almost all people with gout have too much urate in their blood, a condition called hyperuricaemia. It usually occurs when (1) the kidneys cannot get rid of enough uric acid; (2) the body overproduces uric acid. These two defects are usually inherited from a parent of grandparent. Gout runs in families. The old adage that simply eating and drinking too much causes gout has been proven wrong, though it is true if you over-indulge in alcohol - especially beer and wine - or high purine content food. Being overweight or not drinking enough fluids can also aggravate gout. About 90% of people with gout are men. The first attack generally occurs between 40 and 50 years of age, but can occur at any age. Women with gout usually develop it after menopause. It is not, as was once thought a disease of the wealthy, although too much alcohol and overeating are often associated with its development. Gout affects people from all walks of life. Remember
How is gout diagnosed? A sudden attack in one joint (usually the big toe) suggests a diagnosis of gout, but some other forms of arthritis can also act like gout, especially pseudogout and septic arthritis. It is important for a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis. The plasma urate can be measured by a blood test. It is usually raised during an attack but it can also be normal sometimes. On the other hand, a raised blood uric acid level can also happen in normal subjects who do not have gout; therefore a raised blood uric acid level does not necessarily indicate gout. To confirm the diagnosis it is sometimes necessary to take fluid from the joint to see if there are gout crystals under microscopic examination. X-rays of the joint may also be done, but as they often appear normal, they may not help in the diagnosis.How is gout treated?
Uric acid lowering drugs The drugs given to relieve an acute attack have little effect on uric acid levels in the blood. They can do little to prevent further attacks, or stop uric acid being laid down in the joints. Should your attacks become more frequent, or if blood tests show you are accumulating too much uric acid, your doctor may decide to prescribe one of the drugs that reduce the quantity of uric acid in the blood. These have to be taken everyday, whether you have an attack or not, as a preventive measure. There are now several drugs available that will lower the uric acid level, but it must be appreciated that you may have to persist with the daily treatment for the rest of your life. Should you stop, uric acid will begin to accumulate again. These tablets are prescribed to be taken regularly. Taken consistently over a period, the treatment ensures that you maintain a normal blood level of urate. The most commonly prescribed tablet is Allopurinol. It reduced the amount of uric acid made by the body. It is well tolerated even when taken for years; the only side-effect that occurs frequently is a rash, which disappears when the tablets are stopped. Occasionally, people may be allergic and have more severe skin rashes. Sometimes acute attacks of gout may become more common when Allopurinol is started, so it may be necessary to take Colchicine or an NSAID as well. Whichever drug proves right for you, drinking plenty of fluid will help to get the rid of urate through the kidneys.
Conditions that are associated with Gout Gout is commonly associated with high blood pressure, Diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease and high cholesterol. These conditions should be checked regularly and treated. Gout is a treatable disease. Proper diagnosis and management, including
weight and diet control, should mean gout can be totally controlled. |
DID YOU KNOW... ...that this decade has been designated as the "Decade of the Bone and Joint"? So we can expect many new developments and a better understanding in these fields worldwide. |
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