Pain, disability and impairment associated with podiatric problems in patients with acute gout

Background Gout is on the increase worldwide and is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis affecting men. Gout is of particular significance to New Zealand, affecting approximately 15% of Maori and Pacific men in South Auckland, thus it has been dubbed the ‘gout capital of the world’. Gout most frequently affects the foot, with initial attack affecting in the first metatarsophalangeal joint (1 MPJ) in 50% of patients. Involvement of the first 1 MPJ eventually occurs in 90% of individuals with gout. Despite the predilection of gout to the foot, the impact of gout on foot function is not well understood. A recent study investigating patients with chronic gout found the foot to be a rigid, higharched with limited range of motion at the major joints of the foot. An increased threshold of pain, disability and a decrease in function was also reported. These changes associated with chronic gout may contribute to further progression of pain, disability and impairment. The impact of acute gout on musculoskeletal function has not been examined in a detailed or objective manner. The aim of the current study is to assess the impact of acute gout on foot pain, function/ impairment and disability.