Gout

For key facts and figures about musculoskeletal disorders, perhaps a surprise as the fourth leading diagnostic category in primary care, see the pages that follow.

Once a disease of kings, gout affects an increasing number of “commoners”-and the physical and economic toll is high.

Here: 5 questions that test your knowledge of gout, psoriasis, COPD, and dermatologic lesions.

Becoming familiar with recent developments in managing “the king of diseases and the disease of kings” may help.

In an era characterized by an expanding array of expensive gout therapies, it may be that cherries have been overlooked.

Gout guidelines recently approved by the American College of Rheumatology have a 2-part focus. They offer patients information on effective methods for preventing gout attacks, and they provide physicians with recommended therapies for long-term disease management.

Here: a concise summary of dosing recommendations for the array of pharmacologic options now available to treat gout.

Gout is associated with a 57% increased risk of ESRD, independent of hypertension and diabetes, according to new research.

Elevated serum uric acid level is pathognomonic for gout. Untreated gout may lead to tophi, nephropathy, and uric acid nephrolithiasis.

A definitive gout diagnosis is based on demonstration of monosodium urate crystals on aspiration of an affected joint or tophus.