The joint appears infected with signs of warmth, redness, and tenderness. The attacks of painful joints may subside in several days, but may recur at irregular intervals. Subsequent attacks usually have a longer duration. Several attacks of gout may occur each year resulting in chronic joint symptoms such as joint deformity and limitation of motion in the affected joints. Uric acid deposits called tophi develop in cartilage tissue, tendons, and soft tissues.
Deposits also can occur within the kidneys, leading to chronic renal failure .
Risk factors include recurrences of acute attacks of gouty arthritis , lack of preventative measures in those with prior attacks, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, sickle cell anemia, or obesity. Men and postmenopausal women are at higher risk than younger women. The incidence is 2 out of 1,000 people. There may be a current or previous medical history of acute arthritis in one joint. A physical examination of joints shows arthritis and tophi.