• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Acute gouty arthritis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Definition:

Acute gouty arthritis is a sudden attack of pain in the joints, especially in the feet and legs, that occur when uric acid builds up in the joints.

See also: Chronic gouty arthritis

Alternative Names:

Gouty arthritis - acute; Gout - acute

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Gout is caused by an overproduction of uric acid or a reduced ability of the kidney to get rid of uric acid. The exact cause is unknown. It is more common in males, postmenopausal women, and people who drink alcohol.

The condition may also develop in people with:

• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Obesity
• Sickle cell anemia

The condition may occur after taking medicines that interfere with uric acid excretion.

Gout has 4 stages:

• Asymptomatic
• Acute
• Intercritical
• Chronic

This article discusses acute gouty arthritis only.

• Review Date: 4/26/2007
• Reviewed By: Steve Lee, DO, Rheumatology Fellow, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.