Stopping progression to tophaceous gout

PREVIEW

Gout has been called the disease of plenty because throughout its long history, it seems to have affected people with access to a relative abundance of foodstuffs. However, more than a rich diet is involved when gout progresses to bone erosion and chronic deforming arthritis. The authors discuss hyperuricemia and its role in deposition of urate crystals in soft tissue, joints, bones, and tendons. They also summarize methods to control inflammation, prevent acute flares, and lower urate levels to prevent destructive progression of the disease.