La gota es una enfermedad producida por una acumulación de cristales de urato monosódico (sal derivada del ácido úrico) en distintas partes del cuerpo, sobre todo en las articulaciones, tejidos blandos y riñones. El ataque agudo de gota típico suele comenzar por la noche y consiste en una artritis que causa intenso dolor y enrojecimiento en la articulación metatarsofalángica del dedo gordo del pie. La gota es uno de los tipos de artritis por microcristales. El factor fundamental que causa la gota es la hiperuricemia (elevación de los niveles de ácido úrico en sangre). Los dos motivos principales por los que son demasiado altos los niveles de ácido úrico en sangre son el aumento de su producción por el organismo y la disminución de su eliminación por el riñón. Los estilos de vida poco saludables, la obesidad, la ingesta excesiva de alcohol o alimentos ricos en purinas, como las carnes rojas, vísceras, pescado azul o mariscos, actúan como desencadenante de las crisis gotosa, pero no son la causa de la enfermedad, que está condicionada por factores de origen genético en la mayor parte de los casos.

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Gout is usually characterized by recurrent attacks of inflammatory arthritis—a red, tender, hot, and swollen joint. Pain typically comes on rapidly in less than twelve hours. The joint at the base of the big toe is affected in about half of cases. It may also result in tophi, kidney stones, or urate nephropathy. The cause is a combination of diet and genetic factors. It occurs more commonly in those who eat a lot of meat, drink a lot of beer, or are overweight. The underlying mechanism involves elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. At high levels, the uric acid crystallizes and the crystals deposit in joints, tendons and surrounding tissues, an attack of gout occurs. Diagnosis may be confirmed by seeing the crystals in joint fluid or tophus. Blood uric acid levels may be normal during an attack. Treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, or colchicine improves symptoms. Once the acute attack subsides, levels of uric acid can be lowered via lifestyle changes and in those with frequent attacks, allopurinol or probenecid provides long-term prevention. Taking vitamin C and eating a diet high in low fat dairy products may be preventive. Gout affects about 1 to 2% of the Western population at some point in their lives. It has become more common in recent decades. This is believed to be due to increasing risk factors in the population, such as metabolic syndrome, longer life expectancy and changes in diet. Older males are most commonly affected. Gout was historically known as "the disease of kings" or "rich man's disease". It has been recognized at least since the time of the ancient Egyptians.

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