Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

Title

Gout

Academic Term

Summer 2015

Document Type

Project

Course Number

NURS 5330

Course Name

Advanced Pathophysiology

Professor’s Name

John D. Chovan, James R. Cacchillo

Keywords

Inflammation, Uric Acid, Rheumatology

Subject Categories

Medical Pathology | Medicine and Health Sciences | Nursing | Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Abstract

Gout is a syndrome caused by an inflammatory response creating an over production of uric acid increasing uric acid levels in the blood and body fluids. Gout is defined as a disorder resulting from tissue deposition of MSU crystals (in joints, bursae, bone, and certain other soft tissues, such as ligaments, tendons and occasionally, skin) and/or crystallization of uric acid within the renal collecting system (tubules and renal pelvis) that typically occurs in acid urine” (Terkeltaub & Edwards, 2013, p. 20). Gout is among the oldest diseases affecting approximately 3.9% of adults in America (Terkeltaub & Edwards, 2013, p. xv). Historically, Gout was the “disease of kings.” An early century caricature depicts gout in affluent middle-aged men that over indulge in alcohol and food. Today, the population stereotypes the average patient with impressions of self-limiting behavior such as drinking and diet (Terkeltaub & Edwards, 2013, p. xv). Gout prevalence and incidence are on the rise. Gout pathophysiology is complex and not easily understood affecting the patients’ quality of life. Gout treatment is associated with treatment failure and noncompliance. Consequently, “Most patients with gout are treated in general practice and never enter the domain of the rheumatologist, and general practitioners (GPs) are unlikely to read guidelines that are published in rheumatology journals or present on rheumatology websites” (Perry & Madhok, 2010, p. 2233). Increasing knowledge and understanding of gout, clinicians can significantly influence the quality of life through treatment options for patients and practitioners.

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