What are the symptoms of chronic gouty arthritis?

Understanding the clinical manifestations of the disease will help us effectively and correctly know the existence of the disease and treat it effectively. The early stages of the disease are often the most vulnerable. So what are the symptoms of inflammatory arthritis?

1. The asymptomatic period is long, with only elevated blood uric acid levels. About 1/3 of patients will later develop joint symptoms.

2. The acute arthritis stage often occurs suddenly at night, with severe pain in the affected joints. The first joints affected are often the big toe joints, followed by the ankles, knees, etc. Red, swollen, hot and tender joints, general weakness, fever, headache, etc. It can last for 3 to 11 days. Drinking, overeating, overwork and catching a cold, surgical stimulation, and mental stress can all be triggers of an attack.

3. The intermittent period is several months or years. As the disease recurs, the interval becomes shorter, the disease period is prolonged, and the number of affected joints increases, it gradually turns into chronic arthritis.

4. The chronic arthritis stage takes an average of about 11 years from the acute onset to the chronic arthritis stage, during which the joints become stiff, deformed, and have limited movement. About 30% of patients may suffer from tophi, renal complications, and ureteral stones. In the late stage, there are hypertension, renal and cerebral arteriosclerosis, and myocardial infarction A small number of patients died from renal failure and cardiovascular accidents. The course of secondary gout is similar, with a shorter interval secondary to blood disease and glycogen storage disease. The blood uric acid test is elevated, up to 20mg%. Normal: 7mg% for males and 6mg% for females. Polarized light microscopy revealed white blood cells engulfing urate crystals in the synovial fluid. During the acute phase, the white blood cell count increases and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate accelerates. X-ray examination shows punch-like destruction of the subchondral bone of the articular joint, as well as local osteoporosis, erosion or cortical fracture, narrowing of the joint space and marginal bone hyperplasia. Gout stones may appear as calcification shadows.