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.
Kicking Gout in the Acid is a six-part podcast series with the goal of raising awareness of gout, its proper management and much more. In each episode, an expert from the Gout Education Society will join Dr. Larry Edwards in a conversation focusing on how to improve the quality of life for those suffering from disease and empower those who care for them.
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.
Sign up today and join the nationwide coalition dedicated to increasing awareness of gout and improving the quality of patient care.
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!
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.
Gout triggers can differ from one person to another. Once a person identifies his or her specific triggers, gout can be easier to manage.
Take this quick interactive quiz to put your gout knowledge to the test.
We know you have questions about gout and its symptoms. Here are some popular questions about gout, its causes, symptoms, and treatments!
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
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.