Gout is a disorder of purine metabolism characterized by acute, recurrent attacks of synovitis due to urate crystal deposition. Later, there is cartilage degeneration.

The condition is most common in men (20:1) and in post-menopausal women.

Uric acid is the breakdown product of purine residues of nucleic acid. Two thirds of it are excreted via the kidney; the remainder, via the gut.

Not all patients with hyperuricaemia have gout. The likelihood of crystal formation increases as the level of uric acid increases, and at low temperature. This helps to explain the peripheral distribution of gout.