Hyperuricemia, gout, and lifestyle factors.

Gout, one of the most prevalent inflammatory arthritides, arises from the formation and deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in and around joints. Hyperuricemia and the saturation of body tissues with urate are essential prerequisites for the development of gout, MSU crystals forming as serum urate (SUA) concentrations rise and exceed the physiological saturation threshold of urate. Recent epidemiological surveys have suggested that the prevalence and incidence of hyperuricemia and gout are rising1–4. Frequent suboptimal treatment5 may also contribute to the prevalence of clinically important, symptomatic gout. Numerous risk factors for the development of hyperuricemia and gout have been…