Gout Flashcards
What is gout?
Type of arthritis characterized by elevation of uric acid ( hyperuricemia ) and deposit of uric acid crystals in 1 or more joints
Gout is marked as ?
Painful flares lasting days to weeks followed by long periods without symptoms
How does gout happen? (2)
When kidney can’t excrete enough uric acid
Too much uric acid being made for the kidney to handle
We classify hyperuricemia as primary or secondary
Which is each?
Primary - genetics
Secondary - conditions ( loop diuretics & b blockers )
Gout is likely caused by the interaction of several factors. The most important being and why?
Metabolic syndrome
Increased intake of food can trigger gout
What are the 2 processes that are essential to develop gout?
Crystallization and inflammation
How does the crystallization work?
Urate levels increase and saturate the synovial fluid or soft tissues, the excess urate coalesces into crystals
This trigger inflammation
What is the most common site for gout?
Also known as ?
On the big toe
Podagra
Notes
Acute gout are triggered by alcohol, surgery, trauma
And often show
Sudden swelling and severe pain at night
Sensitive to touch
Low grade fever
Chronic gout is characterized by multiple joint involvement and visible deposits of sodium urate crystals called?
Tophi
What are Tophi?
Hard white nodules
What is diagnostic studies for gout? (2)
Uric acid levels ( urine analysis )
Synovial fluid aspiration
Notes
Interprofessional and nursing management
Goals for patients with acute are using anti inflammatory agents like ; colchicine
What type of drugs will we use for gout? (3)
NSAIDs
Colchicine - anti inflammatory not for pain
Corticosteroids
Notes
Future gout attacks are prevented in part by a maintained dose of a xanthin oxidase inhibitor.
Uricosuric agent which increases uric acid excretion in the urine may be added with xanthin if levels don’t decrease
Angiotensin 2 help older adults
