Update on diagnosis and treatment of gout

Dr Shaheef Alraqi, Consultant Rheumatologist at the Arthritis and Rheumatology Clinic in Dublin, provides an overview of the latest techniques for diagnosing, treating and managing gout and how suboptimal treatment can have dire consequences. Gout is an inflammatory, erosive arthritis caused by the deposition of monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystals in the articular and periarticular soft tissues. It is the most common known inflammatory arthritis affecting men and the ratio of men-to-women is 20:1 in premenopausal years and probably up to 3:1 in older age. It typically affects the big toes, ankles, knees, wrists and elbows. Hyperuricaemia is an essential…