Gout and the heart.

The association between gout and cardiovascular diseases has been noted for centuries but was not subjected to rigorous epidemiologic studies until recently. The published literature is almost unanimous in the strength and consistency of this association. However, the impact of gout over and above that conferred by hyperuricemia and other risk factors of cardiovascular disease has not been well studied. Future studies are expected to shed light on the pathophysiologic basis of this association.