BIOL 3051 Chapter Notes - Chapter 12.2: Gout, Achilles Tendon, Arthropathy
24 Apr 2020
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Gout is a disease in which monosodium (msu) crystals deposit in joints, soft tissues such as cartilage, tendon, and bursa, or in renal tissues such as glomeruli, the interstitial and tubules. This can result in gouty arthritis, tophi, nephropathy or uric acid nephrolithiasis. Gout can be caused by high levels of uric acid too much production of uric acid or too little elimination of uric acid. We have no way of metabolizing uric acid, so an imbalance can increase the chances of gout. Rapid, localized onset of excruciating pain (night), swelling, redness and inflammation. Unilateral attack lasting 3-14 days, maximal severity within 12-24 hrs. Crystal induced inflammation: number of chemical mediator"s cause vasodilation, increase vascular permeability, increase in polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Most untreated patients experience a second episode within 2 years. Uric acid lowering treatments begins if >2 flares per year. If left untreated, trend toward recurrent acute attacks. Increasingly prolonged and disabling, polyarticular, occasionally associated with a fever.
