Understanding Gout

Gout is a common yet often misunderstood inflammatory arthritis caused by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints and soft tissues. It develops after prolonged elevations in serum uric acid and can lead to severe pain, recurrent flares, and permanent joint damage if left untreated.

In this episode of Medical Foundations, we explore the biological mechanisms behind gout, including how urate crystals trigger inflammation, why certain individuals are at higher risk, and how lifestyle factors such as obesity, alcohol consumption, and diet influence disease progression. We also discuss modern diagnostic approaches, from synovial fluid analysis to advanced imaging techniques like ultrasound and dual-energy CT (DECT).

You’ll learn how gout is managed using a treat-to-target strategy, aiming for serum urate levels below 6 mg/dL, and why long-term urate-lowering therapy with medications such as allopurinol is essential. We also highlight the importance of flare prophylaxis, lifestyle modifications, and management of comorbidities to prevent complications like tophi and chronic joint damage.

💡 Note: This episode was created using Google’s NotebookLM. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the authors or their institutions.

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