Is gout related to rheumatoid arthritis?

Ask the Doctor: Questions about Rheumatoid Arthritis


Stephen A. Paget, MD, FACP, FACR

Physician-in-Chief and Chairman of the Division of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery
The Joseph P. Routh Professor of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University


My husband is 31 years old. He has just recovered from his third episode of gout in three to four years. Is gout related to rheumatoid arthritis?

 

Answer: Interestingly enough, the co-existence of gout and RA is very uncommon, but not unheard of. The diagnosis of gout should be made by seeing the characteristic crystals in the synovial fluid from an involved joint.

posted 8/11/2004