A systematic review on the prevalence, pathophysiology, diagnosis, management and treatment of gout (2007-2018)

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis with drastically increasing incidence since last twenty years. Increased serum uric acid levels and deposition of urate crystals in joints and soft tissues are known to stir-up the symptoms of gout. Patient’s quality of life (Qol) suffers markedly due to inflammation, pain, restricted mobility, health economic burden and suboptimal therapeutics associated with gout. Related articles published between 2007 and 2018 were reviewed with the help of different databases including PubMed, Springer link, Medline, Google scholar and Science direct. To ensure the accuracy and credibility of data, articles published only in indexed journals were considered. Gout is a common metabolic disorder that is provoked by increased level of serum uric acid. Presence of other comorbidities i.e. hypertension, diabetes and cardiac diseases precipitate the rate of mortality. Number of gout patients is shown to increase in developed countries whereas developing countries remain at high risk category. The enormous increase in gout is due to chronicity, lack of awareness among patients, poor diagnosis, suboptimal treatment and economic burden. Risk factors associated with gout are well identified and pathophysiology is well-established hence, measures can be taken to improve diagnosis and to ensure cost effective options for the treatment. To curtail the global health burden and to improve patient quality of life there is need: to reduce exposure to risk factors, to promote awareness, to institute robust prophylactic measures, to modify lifestyle, to establish signs for early diagnosis and to develop optimized treatment strategies and policies.