Gout and hyperuricemia

Although our understanding of hyperuricemia and gout has changed little over the past several years, questions remain in defining the many metabolic abnormalities that can result in these problems. In the past year, several papers have further addressed heritable mechanisms for the development of hyperuricemia, as well as environmental factors that contribute to its onset in adulthood. Consequences of hyperuricemia other than clinical gout have received further attention. Although typical gout is easily recognized and treated, several recent papers have addressed atypical presentations of gout, as well as other causes of podagra that might have been attributed previously to gout. The treatment of patients whose disease is uncomplicated by other conditions remains straightforward. However, the presentation of gout in patients with multiple comorbidities not only increases recognition of the toxicity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicine, but often requires innovative approaches to its treatment.