Gout

Gout is the most common cause of inflammatory arthritis. It is caused by the deposition of urate crystals in synovial fluids and surrounding tissues, which may lead to inflammation. For the past few decades, increasing evidence has shown that there is a relationship between serum uric acid, gout, and cardiovascular diseases. However, it is still controversial whether this association is a causal one or should be attributed to the comorbidities and risk factors those diseases share. Gout and uric acid could be seen as metabolic markers of cardiovascular diseases. Another unsolved question pertains to the potential impact of gout treatment on cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. This chapter will review the current evidence and will try to answer these important questions