Gout: diagnosis, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations

Gout is a common form of arthritis, in which many of the risk factors, pathogenetic mechanisms, and clinical features have been recognized for years. Nevertheless, new information has become available regarding the normal physiologic role of uric acid as an antioxidant, and greater insight has been obtained regarding the inflammatory process in acute gout, New studies have improved our understanding of the role of genetic and environmental factors responsible for hyperuricemia, and we know more about the significance of the association of hyperuricemia with other diseases. Clinically, rare complications and disease manifestations in new populations continue to be discussed, and diagnostic methods continue to be refined. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.