HYPER-URICEMIA AND GOUT - CLASSIFICATION, COMPLICATIONS AND MANAGEMENT

RECENT progress in the understanding of purine metabolism and uric acid disposition suggests a need to revise the traditional classification of hyperuricemia and gout. A rational classification based on uric acid production would provide the foundations for further genetic investigation and for a sound approach to the treatment of patients with gout. Hyperuricemia is difficult to define. The serum urate concentration is not distributed normally in the population but is slightly skewed toward higher values. A functional and useful definition is based on the physicochemical saturation of serum with urate, which at 37°C is about 7.0 mg per 100 ml. © 1979, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.