[Epidemiology and risk factors for gout]

Gout is the most prevalent form of inflammatory arthropathy, and affecting more than 2% of the population in industrialized countries. The development and expression of gout depends on three key steps:chronic hyperuricemia, the growth ofmonosodium urate crystals and interaction between this cristals and inflammatory system. Prevalence and incidence of gout have risen in recent decades. Numerous risk factors for the development of gout have been established, including hyperuricaemia, genetic factors, dietary factors, alcohol consumption, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, obesity, diuretic use and chronic renal disease.