What are Symptoms of Gout?

People with gout are sometimes advised to stick to a strict low-purine diet. But it is not clear exactly how effective that kind of diet is. This summary of a Cochrane review presents what we know from research about the effect of glucocorticoid injections (into affected joints) in people with acute gout.

There were no trials that met our inclusion criteria, and no trials measuring the effect on pain, inflammation, the number of withdrawals due to adverse events, function, quality of life, treatment success and serious adverse events. Studies of glucocorticoid injections in other conditions that lead to joint pain suggest that this therapy may be well tolerated, relatively safe and effective in relieving pain. Gout cannot always be controlled just by changing diet or drinking less alcohol.

Medication to lower uric acid levels may then be an option. It is a particularly good idea if there is a risk of gout becoming chronic or causing complications. Gout is caused by high uric acid levels.

If uric acid levels in the blood are too high, urate crystals can start to form in the joints and cause acute gout attacks. Left untreated, gout can become chronic and do lasting damage to the joints. Keeping uric acid levels as low as possible is the most common approach when trying to prevent gout attacks and complications.

Some people just have to change their diet and avoid other possible triggers, but others need to take medication to lower their uric acid levels over the long term.