Gout and hyperuricaemia

Gout is the most common crystal arthritis and its prevalence is rising. It is associated with the metabolic syndrome, and hyperuricaemiamay be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The acute presentation of gout is easily managed, but the underlying causeis seldom addressed. Indications for initiating uric acid therapy have been clearly established. The classification criteria for gout have beenreviewed and are presented here.Lifestyle modification is key to the management of gout. The clinician must screen for diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemiawhen the diagnosis of gout is made. The management of asymptomatic hyperuricaemia is still being researched. As yet, there is no indicationto start urate-lowering therapy in such patients. Allopurinol remains the first line of treatment, but there are newer drugs being researchedin various clinical trials. Probenecid is the alternative in patients with preserved renal function, who do not have a history of renal calculi.