From the Guidelines
A gout attack is typically characterized by intense pain, swelling, and inflammation, but the evidence does not specifically mention a burning sensation as a characteristic symptom. During a gout attack, patients often experience joint swelling and pain, known as acute gouty arthritis, which can be severe and debilitating 1. The most commonly affected joint is the big toe (podagra), but gout can also occur in other joints such as ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and fingers.
Key Points to Consider
- Gout is caused by the accumulation of excess urate crystals in joint fluid, cartilage, bones, tendons, bursas, and other sites 1.
- Treatment for acute gout attacks includes anti-inflammatory medications like colchicine, NSAIDs such as indomethacin or naproxen, or corticosteroids 1.
- Lifestyle modifications including weight loss, limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding purine-rich foods, and staying well-hydrated can help prevent future attacks 1.
Important Considerations
- The American College of Physicians recommends that clinicians choose corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or colchicine to treat patients with acute gout, based on high-quality evidence 1.
- The duration of prophylaxis with daily colchicine or NSAIDs should be longer than 8 weeks to reduce the risk for acute gout attacks in patients starting urate-lowering therapy 1.
From the Research
Gout Attack Symptoms
- Severe pain is a common symptom of gout attacks, as mentioned in 2, 3, 4, 5
- Swelling and tenderness in a peripheral joint or bursa are also characteristic of gout attacks, as noted in 3, 5
- The presence of a tophus, which is a deposit of monosodium urate crystals, can also occur in gout patients, as described in 3, 5
Burning Sensation in Gout Attacks
- None of the provided studies explicitly mention a burning sensation as a symptom of gout attacks
- However, intense pain is a common symptom of gout attacks, which may be perceived as a burning sensation by some patients, as mentioned in 2, 3, 4, 5