Gout is one of the most painful forms of
arthritis. The term arthritis refers to more than 100 different rheumatic diseases that affect the joints, muscles, and bones, as well as other tissues and structures. Gout accounts for approximately 5 percent of all cases of arthritis.
Gout occurs in approximately 840 out of every 100,000 people. It is rare in children and young adults. Adult men, particularly those between the ages of 40 and 50, are more likely to develop gout than women, who rarely develop the disorder before
menopause. People who have had an organ transplant are more susceptible to gout.
Gout, Uric Acid, and Hyperuricemia
Uric acid is a substance that results from the breakdown of purines, which are part of all human tissue and are found in many foods. Normally, uric acid is dissolved in the blood and passed through the kidneys into the urine, where it is eliminated.
If the body increases its production of uric acid or if the kidneys do not eliminate enough uric acid from the body, increased levels of it build up in the blood. This condition is called hyperuricemia.
Hyperuricemia is not a disease and by itself is not dangerous. However, if excess uric acid crystals form as a result of hyperuricemia, gout can develop. This increased level of uric acid in the blood can also lead to:
- Deposits of uric acid (called tophi) that look like lumps under the skin around the joints and at the rim of the ear
- Kidney stones from uric acid crystals in the kidneys.
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