gout

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gout (gowt) n. a disease in which a defect in purine metabolism causes an excess of uric acid and its salts (urates) to accumulate in the bloodstream and the joints respectively. It results in attacks of acute gouty arthritis and chronic destruction of the joints and deposits of urates (tophi) in the skin and cartilage, especially of the ears. Treatment with uricosuric drugs or allopurinol can control the disease; acute attacks are treated with anti-inflammatory analgesics. See also podagra.

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