The evolution of gout (an old disease of lifestyle)

Background: Few diseases that confront the 21st century clinician have documented history which dates back to early human era. Methods: We reviewed how the understanding of the aetiogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis and treatment of gout including myths have evolved and discussed the implications...

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Main Authors: Olufemi B. Omole, Gboyega A. Ogunbanjo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2009-10-01
Series:South African Family Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1320
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author Olufemi B. Omole
Gboyega A. Ogunbanjo
author_facet Olufemi B. Omole
Gboyega A. Ogunbanjo
author_sort Olufemi B. Omole
collection DOAJ
description Background: Few diseases that confront the 21st century clinician have documented history which dates back to early human era. Methods: We reviewed how the understanding of the aetiogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis and treatment of gout including myths have evolved and discussed the implications thereof. Results: Gout has been recognized as a clinical entity before 2000BC with Hippocrates describing the five aphorism of gout. Between the 1st and the 6th century AD, the role of genetics and the association of gout with an indulgent lifestyle and tophi were described. Hemodactyl (a source of colchicines) was also first identified during this period. “Gout” was coined from the Latin word “Gutta” in the 13th century and the microscopy of uric acid crystals and gout symptomatology were the focus of investigations between the 17th and 18th centuries. Several drug treatments were developed between the 19th and 20th centuries including salicylates, probenecid and allopurinol. Gout as a risk factor for metabolic syndrome, NIDDM and cardiovascular disease is a challenge for the 20th century and the future. Conclusion: The understanding of gout has evolved with human development but the challenges for the future will include how to deal with the associated cardiovascular co-morbidities.
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spelling doaj-art-5423d68eb4bd4cb794d4b130885b7eab2025-08-20T03:47:10ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042009-10-0151510.1080/20786204.2009.108738901091The evolution of gout (an old disease of lifestyle)Olufemi B. Omole0Gboyega A. Ogunbanjo1Department of Family Medicine, University of WitwatersrandDepartment of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, University of LimpopoBackground: Few diseases that confront the 21st century clinician have documented history which dates back to early human era. Methods: We reviewed how the understanding of the aetiogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis and treatment of gout including myths have evolved and discussed the implications thereof. Results: Gout has been recognized as a clinical entity before 2000BC with Hippocrates describing the five aphorism of gout. Between the 1st and the 6th century AD, the role of genetics and the association of gout with an indulgent lifestyle and tophi were described. Hemodactyl (a source of colchicines) was also first identified during this period. “Gout” was coined from the Latin word “Gutta” in the 13th century and the microscopy of uric acid crystals and gout symptomatology were the focus of investigations between the 17th and 18th centuries. Several drug treatments were developed between the 19th and 20th centuries including salicylates, probenecid and allopurinol. Gout as a risk factor for metabolic syndrome, NIDDM and cardiovascular disease is a challenge for the 20th century and the future. Conclusion: The understanding of gout has evolved with human development but the challenges for the future will include how to deal with the associated cardiovascular co-morbidities.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1320gouthistorylifestyleuric acid
spellingShingle Olufemi B. Omole
Gboyega A. Ogunbanjo
The evolution of gout (an old disease of lifestyle)
South African Family Practice
gout
history
lifestyle
uric acid
title The evolution of gout (an old disease of lifestyle)
title_full The evolution of gout (an old disease of lifestyle)
title_fullStr The evolution of gout (an old disease of lifestyle)
title_full_unstemmed The evolution of gout (an old disease of lifestyle)
title_short The evolution of gout (an old disease of lifestyle)
title_sort evolution of gout an old disease of lifestyle
topic gout
history
lifestyle
uric acid
url https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/1320
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