Diagnosis and management of gout

Abstract

Introduction Gout is a common cause of acute arthritis. An ageing population, increasing obesity, and lifestyle changes will render it more common.1 Here I outline the epidemiology of gout, appraise the evidence base for its management, and suggest ways of managing idiopathic gout. Management of hyperuricaemia due to inborn errors of metabolism (for example, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome) and its prevention during cancer chemotherapy are not discussed here.