Orthopaedic MD

Gout and pseudogout are the 2 most common crystal-induced arthropathies. They are debilitating illnesses in which pain and joint inflammation are caused by the formation of crystals within the joint space. Gout is inflammation caused by monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystals.
Pseudogout is inflammation caused by calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystals and is sometimes referred to as calcium pyrophosphate disease (CPPD).
Synonyms and related keywords: calcium pyrophosphate disease, CPPD, peripheral arthritis, sodium urate crystals, monosodium urate monohydrate crystals, MSU crystals, calcium pyrophosphate crystals, CPP crystals, podagra, hyperuricemia, primary gout, secondary gout, intermediate gout, late-phase gout, pseudogout, tophi, gouty nephropathy, gouty arthritis, first metatarsophalangeal joint pain, uric acid, increased serum uric acid, arthritis nodosa, arthritis uratica, foot pain, edema of the foot, crystal-induced arthritis, joint edema, acute arthritis, lysis of polymorphonuclear white blood cells, inflammatory crystalline arthritis, acute septic arthritis, pseudogout arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthrocentesis
Joseph Kaplan, MD 2007

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis caused by cellular reaction to uric acid crystal deposition. Usually, gout is hyperacute in presentation, but it may progress to chronic arthritis or even present as chronic arthritis. Diagnosis is based on identification of causative crystals or classic radiographic findings but is not based on hyperuricemia. The level of uric acid does not actually precipitate the gout; rather, acute changes in the level of uric acid cause gout. Most individuals with hyperuricemia do not have gout, but if high uric acid levels are untreated, 90% develop gout within 30 years. Hyperuricemia is found in 90% of individuals with gout, but it is also found in patients taking diuretics and even in those taking low doses of aspirin.
Synonyms and related keywords: urate crystal arthropathy, podagra, urate deposition disease, inflammatory arthritis, chronic arthritis
Bruce M Rothschild, MD 2006

Gout is a common disorder of uric acid metabolism that can lead to recurrent episodes of joint inflammation, tissue deposition of uric acid crystals, and joint destruction if left untreated. Unlike many other rheumatic diseases, gout is very treatable. A definitive diagnosis can be made using joint aspiration and synovial fluid analysis. Early diagnosis and treatment have made a significant impact in this disorder, as evidenced by the declining incidence of chronic tophaceous gout. However, tophaceous gout may occur due to misdiagnosis, poor management, and poor patient compliance.
Synonyms and related keywords: gout, uric acid metabolism, joint inflammation, joint destruction, chronic tophaceous gout, tophaceous gout, gouty arthritis, hyperuricemia, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, abdominal obesity, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, cyclosporin A, acute monoarticular arthritis, podagra, pseudogout, polyarticular arthritis, uric acid, primary gout, secondary gout, acute gout, chronic gout
Francis & Ranatunga 2006