What Are the Long-Term Effects of Gout Without Treatment?

Gout, a form of arthritis caused by a critical waste compound, is an easily treatable condition. Unfortunately, many who suffer from gout do not seek treatment and are subject to further complications.

Uric Acid

• Uric acid, or urate, is a compound produced by the body as a result of nucleic and protein metabolism and is a major nitrogenous waste product. Normally, uric acid dissolved in the blood passes through the kidneys and into the bladder and is then excreted in urine.

Root Problem of Gout

• When the body produces too much uric acid, or when the kidney has trouble filtering it from the blood, crystals of the compound will form in the blood. These crystals are most often deposited in joint tissues.

Immediate Symptoms

• When uric acid crystals are deposited in a joint, the body responds through the immune system and attacks the joint tissue. The resulting inflammation is extremely painful, but eventually the pain goes away on its own after a few days.

Long-Term Effects

• Permanent joint damage can occur if gout is not treated. Gout can become a recurring problem and also result in the formation of kidney stones. After roughly 10 years of recurring gout attacks, a person can develop heavy crystal formations called tophi that can cause more permanent tissue damage, especially to surrounding nerves.

Treatments

• Anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen and naproxen can help relieve the body's immune response. Colchicine is also an effective treatment, but with more serious side effects. If these two options are not possible, glucocorticoid steroids can be used to treat the condition.