How to diagnose Gout?

Patients with gout (arthritis that results from hyperuricemia and subsequent urate crystal formation in joints) have an increased risk of cardiovascular events (stroke, myocardial infarction) and cardiovascular death. To reduce this risk it is important to identify patients with gout. Until recently, the final diagnosis required a puncture in an inflamed joint by a rheumatologist. Investigators of this theme developed a mobile phone application that is based on an easy to use clinical scoring system to assess the likelihood of gout in patients who present with an arthritis. Patients with a high risk-score do not need referral to a hospital for an invasive joint-puncture to diagnose gout. This saves money and human resources and facilitates identification of patients who may benefit from urate-lowering therapy to reduce cardiovascular events and recurrent arthritis Rheumatology 2015.