How is gout diagnosed?

Doctors suspect gout when one has episodic joint pain and swelling involving the joint at the base of great toe. Serum uric acid estimation helps but it need not always be high during an acute attack. At the same time, having hyperuricemia does not mean that one has to have gout. If the joint is swollen, the joint fluid can be aspirated and examined under a microscope for uric acid crystals. The presence of crystals can confirm the diagnosis of gout.

Created on: April 2007

Last updated on: December 2009

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