Gout and pseudogout (Smarty PANCE) Questions and Answers
What is gout?- A systemic disease caused lymphoma (especially following chemotherapy),
by the buildup of uric acid in the blood the excessive use of alcohol, or the use of
(hyperuricemia) diuretics, etc.
What is the name given to acute gout of the What problem develops as a result of uric acid
metatarsal-phalangeal joint of the big toe?- crystal deposits in renal tubules?- Gout
Podagra is acute gout of the metatarsal- causes uric acid crystal deposits in renal tubules,
phalangeal joint of the big toe. leading to urate nephropathy
Does gout cause negative or positive What are white, chalky, uric acid crystal
birefringent, monosodium urate crystals?- aggregates which may appear in the external ear,
Gout is caused by precipitation of needle olecranon bursa, or Achilles tendon of patients
shaped, negative birefringent, monosodium urate with gout>- Tophi are white, chalky, uric
crystals. acid crystal aggregates which may appear in the
external ear, olecranon bursa, or Achilles tendon
A pathology report comes back with positive of patients with gout.
birefringent crystals. What is the most likely
diagnosis?- Pseudogout (remember "P" for What are the causes of uric acid accumulation?-
pseudogout = "P" for positively birefringent) Urate levels can be elevated because of:
● Decreased renal (most common) (diuretics) or
What is pseudogout?- Pseudogout is the gastrointestinal excretion
result of accumulation of crystals of calcium ● Increased production (rare)
pyrophosphate (CPP) in the connective tissues. ● Increased purine intake - (beer, liver, oily fish,
The cause of abnormal deposits of CPP crystals yeasts) causing rapid changes in uric acid
in cartilage is unknown. They may form due to concentration (usually in combination with
abnormal cells in the cartilage, or they may be decreased excretion)
produced as the result of another disease that
damages cartilage, sudden illness, joint injury, or Why does excessive alcohol consumption lead to
surgery. gout?- Alcohol abuse is a risk factor for gout
due to uric acid underexcretion
What joints are commonly affected by
pseudogout?- Pseudogout commonly What three drug classes are primarily used in the
affects the knee or wrist. Less often, it can treatment of acute gout? - Acute gout is
involve the hips, shoulders, elbows, finger joints, primarily treated with medications from three drug
toes, or ankles classes: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
glucocorticoids, or colchicine.
Does gout typically affects men or women?-
Gout typically affects men What uric acid level helps to confirm a diagnosis
of gout?- > 7.5
What type of gout may be caused by renal
insufficiency leading to uric acid underexcretion?- Name a xanthine analog medication indicated for
Secondary gout may be caused by renal preventing hyperuricemia in chronic gout-
insufficiency leading to uric acid underexcretion. Allopurinol is a xanthine analog medication
Secondary gout refers to the presence of a indicated for preventing hyperuricemia in chronic
recognized cause or precipitating factor, such as gout
1/2
What is gout?- A systemic disease caused lymphoma (especially following chemotherapy),
by the buildup of uric acid in the blood the excessive use of alcohol, or the use of
(hyperuricemia) diuretics, etc.
What is the name given to acute gout of the What problem develops as a result of uric acid
metatarsal-phalangeal joint of the big toe?- crystal deposits in renal tubules?- Gout
Podagra is acute gout of the metatarsal- causes uric acid crystal deposits in renal tubules,
phalangeal joint of the big toe. leading to urate nephropathy
Does gout cause negative or positive What are white, chalky, uric acid crystal
birefringent, monosodium urate crystals?- aggregates which may appear in the external ear,
Gout is caused by precipitation of needle olecranon bursa, or Achilles tendon of patients
shaped, negative birefringent, monosodium urate with gout>- Tophi are white, chalky, uric
crystals. acid crystal aggregates which may appear in the
external ear, olecranon bursa, or Achilles tendon
A pathology report comes back with positive of patients with gout.
birefringent crystals. What is the most likely
diagnosis?- Pseudogout (remember "P" for What are the causes of uric acid accumulation?-
pseudogout = "P" for positively birefringent) Urate levels can be elevated because of:
● Decreased renal (most common) (diuretics) or
What is pseudogout?- Pseudogout is the gastrointestinal excretion
result of accumulation of crystals of calcium ● Increased production (rare)
pyrophosphate (CPP) in the connective tissues. ● Increased purine intake - (beer, liver, oily fish,
The cause of abnormal deposits of CPP crystals yeasts) causing rapid changes in uric acid
in cartilage is unknown. They may form due to concentration (usually in combination with
abnormal cells in the cartilage, or they may be decreased excretion)
produced as the result of another disease that
damages cartilage, sudden illness, joint injury, or Why does excessive alcohol consumption lead to
surgery. gout?- Alcohol abuse is a risk factor for gout
due to uric acid underexcretion
What joints are commonly affected by
pseudogout?- Pseudogout commonly What three drug classes are primarily used in the
affects the knee or wrist. Less often, it can treatment of acute gout? - Acute gout is
involve the hips, shoulders, elbows, finger joints, primarily treated with medications from three drug
toes, or ankles classes: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
glucocorticoids, or colchicine.
Does gout typically affects men or women?-
Gout typically affects men What uric acid level helps to confirm a diagnosis
of gout?- > 7.5
What type of gout may be caused by renal
insufficiency leading to uric acid underexcretion?- Name a xanthine analog medication indicated for
Secondary gout may be caused by renal preventing hyperuricemia in chronic gout-
insufficiency leading to uric acid underexcretion. Allopurinol is a xanthine analog medication
Secondary gout refers to the presence of a indicated for preventing hyperuricemia in chronic
recognized cause or precipitating factor, such as gout
1/2
