Diagnosis of gout

Diagnosis of gout requires analysis of investigations and clinical characteristics. Here on this page we will review investigations. Laboratory tests are carried out in drop to confirm the diagnosis include the following

Analysis of the fluid (synovial) attached to the microscope.Blood levels of uric acid.

In the drop acute synovial fluid is removed from the joint inflamed with the help of a syringe and needle. This liquid is then examined under a microscope in polarized light. In this light mono-sodium urate needle as birefringent crystals can be seen. Excessive precipitation of crystals may make the synovial liquid paste as.

Crystals can also be seen in the joint fluid of knee and phalangeal metatarsals joint of the big toe (the ball of the foot joint) between acute crises.

Blood uric acid levels may be normal or low during an acute episode of gout. This is because the chemical mediators of inflammation in the body (called cytokines) can cause an increase in the excretion of uric acid. Blood levels can be tested once again the acute attack declined.

Urine collected for 24 hours can be useful to determine if there is an production of uric acid. If there is an excretion of more than 800 mg of uric acid daily on regular food then this indicates the possibility of the production of uric acid.

X-ray of the involved joint taken during the drop acute are normal. With repeated attacks, there is a loss of common space, one can see the bone spur (the Red arrows in the chart of x rays) and areas of calcification decreased. Bone spurs drop are relatively larger than in other joint diseases.

Other general surveys such as the serum creatinine, hemoglobin, urinalysis, protein reactive c, counts, serum lipids and of erythrocyte sedimentation rate are useful to exclude risk factors and assess the General State of health.

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This page was last updated November 13, 2008.

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Cause of gout

Symptoms of gout

Treatment of gout

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