[Gout: current views. Stage oriented treatment].

Gout is a common disease arising due to abnormal purin metabolism and excessive accumulation of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia) and manifesting with attacks of acute gouty arthritis. In long duration of gout uric acids accumulate in the bones and periarticular tissues as tophuses. Repeat attacks lead to development of chronic gouty arthritis. Purins restriction diet is an important component of gout treatment. Treatment of acute arthritis should be started early, in initial pains before the development of the attacks. Gouty arthritis in the presence of continuous hyperuricemia, tophyses and urolithiasis is treated with allopurinol. Its intake should be long and controlled by the blood level of uric acid. Balneotherapy is recommended for patients with chronic gouty arthritis associated with cardiovascular diseases, urolithiasis.