Gouty arthritis in women. The clinical picture in 13 newly diagnosed cases

The clinical characteristics and symptoms at the time of diagnosis in 13 women with crystal-proven gouty arthritis were reviewed in a retrospective study based on hospital records. Twelve patients were at the age of 60 or older (median 74 years). Tophaceous gout occurred in four, oligo- or polyarticular involvement in seven. Six patients had actual symptoms for two months or more, only one of these seemed to have had previous acute gouty attacks. The arthritis occurred evenly in the upper and lower extremities. Ten (77%) were in diuretic treatment, 12 (92%) had diseases associated with hyperuricaemia. Only nine (69%) had serum urate concentrations over the upper limit of normal range (0.35 mmol/l).