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.
Criteria for the Classification of Acute Gouty Arthritis
A. Presence of characteristic urate crystals in the joint fluid, or
B. Presence of a tophus proven to contain urate crystals by chemical means or polarized light microscopy, or
C. Presence of six of the following clinical, laboratory, and radiographic phenomena:
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More than one attack of acute arthritis.
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Development of maximal inflammation within 1 day.
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Attack of monarticular arthritis.
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Observation of joint redness.
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Pain or swelling in first metatarsophalangeal joint.
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Unilateral attack involving first metatarsophalangeal joint.
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Unilateral attack involving tarsal joint.
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Suspected tophus.
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Hyperuricemia.
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Asymmetric swelling within a joint on x-ray.
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Subcortical cysts without erosions on x-ray.
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Negative culture of joint fluid for microorganisms during attack of joint inflammation.
Comparison of Gout and Pseudogout
|
|
Gout |
Pseudogout |
|
Ratio of men to women |
7:1 |
1:1.5 |
|
Age group affected |
Men >40 years old Postmenopausal women |
Elderly |
|
Serum urate |
Elevated |
Normal |
|
Joints involved |
First metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, insteps, knees, wrists, fingers, olecranon bursae |
Knees, wrists, ankles |
|
Involvement of first MTP (podagra) |
Common |
Rare |
|
Tophi |
Present |
Rare tophi-like deposits |
|
Radiographic findings |
Erosions with overhanging edges |
Chondrocalcinosis |
|
Crystals |
Needle-shaped, strong negative birefringence |
Rhomboid-shaped, weakly positive birefringence |
References:
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Wallace SL, Robinson H, Masi AT, Decker JL, McCarty DJ, Yu TF. Preliminary criteria for the classification of the acute arthritis of primary gout. Arthritis Rheum. 1977 Apr;20(3):895-900. [Medline]
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Schlesinger N. Diagnosis of gout: clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings. Am J Manag Care. 2005 Nov;11(15 Suppl):S443-50. [Medline]
Created: March 27, 2006