Medical Professionals

The Gout Education Society is a nonprofit organization committed to raising public awareness about gouty arthritis – the most common form of inflammatory arthritis. We provide health care professionals, like you, with complimentary non-branded resources to share with patients, along with updated medical literature and guidelines, with the aim of improving the overall quality of care.

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Medical professionals can learn more about optimizing touch points and common myths by watching the latest webinar.

New Webinar: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Managing Gout.

Recently, a panel of experts from several practice areas convened to discuss the importance of collaborative care in managing gout. Collaborative treatment across the variety of practice areas that see those with gout ensures cohesive care for those afflicted, mitigating connected health issues such as CKD, diabetes and heart disease.

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CME Courses

The Gout Education Society believes that continuing education for medical professionals and their staff is crucial when it comes to keeping up with the latest in gout treatment, diagnosis and management.

gout specialists network for patients

Gout Specialist Network

Sign up today and join the nationwide coalition dedicated to increasing awareness of gout and improving the quality of patient care.

Education Library Resources - Take a Stand on Gout- Implications of the ACR Guidelines for Gout Management

Gout Education Library

With gout on the rise, it is essential that all patients, especially those touched by gout, are knowledgeable about this serious disease. You can always learn more from your doctor during regular visits. Take a stand on gout!

Did you know?

Today, more than 9.2 million Americans are living with gout—a number that is on the rise. Unfortunately, just 10 percent of people with gout are getting needed, ongoing treatment.

how much do you know about gout?

Gout Flare Triggers

Gout triggers can differ from one person to another. Once a person identifies his or her specific triggers, gout can be easier to manage.

How much do you know about gout?

Take this quick interactive quiz to put your gout knowledge to the test. 

Frequently Asked Questions

We know you have questions about gout and its symptoms. Here are some popular questions about gout, its causes, symptoms, and treatments!

What is gout?

Gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis. Caused by an accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints, gout often begins in the big toe with sudden and severe episodes of pain, warmth and swelling. Gout incidence is at an all-time high—but unfortunately, many people with gout are not receiving effective treatment. Read more

Gout is caused by hyperuricemia, classified as a serum uric acid above 6.8 mg/dL and the metabolic background for developing gout. For those with gout, the target goal is a serum uric acid level less than 6.0 mg/dL, and lower in those with advanced or symptomatic disease. Read more

Three manifestations of gout can help classify its severity: 1) Gout flares — which include the sudden onset of pain, swelling and tenderness in one or two joints in the feet or legs — can last for 5-10 days without treatment. 2) After five or more years of recurrent flares, patients may develop tophus formation and bony erosions under the skin and around joints. 3) Years to decades after the initial flare, flares may continue and intervals between flares may become more frequent due to chronic persistent arthritis. Read more

The Gout Education Society offers a range of research and educational resources for medical professionals, including materials that can be shared with patients. They can be downloaded free-of-charge, and many materials are available in English and Spanish. Find out more

Aspiration of synovial fluid or tophi from an actively inflamed joint and the identification of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals through a polarizing microscope remains the gold standard for making an accurate gout diagnosis. However, most physicians must make a probable diagnosis based on how closely the patient’s history and examination aligns with the classic description of gout symptoms. A blood test should be done to check serum uric acid (sUA) levels every six months. Read more

The more open your dialogue is with your gout patients, the more confident they’ll feel about their treatment plan. Encourage patients to be open and ask you questions, too. Here are a few questions you may be asked, or can proactively address with patients:

Hyperuricemia, family history, age, gender, ethnicity, obesity, comorbidities, joint injury, and use of certain medications can all be risk factors for gout. While gout can occur in anyone at any age, it typically develops in men over age 40 and post-menopausal women. Read more

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Gout Education Survey

Please answer the following eight questions about your health to help us best tailor relevant content and materials. This survey may take up to two minutes to complete.