title: Gout: an experience from Zimbabwe.
abstract: Twenty three patients with gout treated and followed up in Zimbabwe over a five year period were analysed. Men were afflicted 6.7 times more than women. Their mean age at diagnosis was 44 +/- 8 years and the mean serum uric acid level was 588 +/- 138 mumol/l. The disease was diagnosed late with 30.4 pc of all patients presenting with tophi. Associated alcohol excess was universal and the shoulder, a proximal big joint, was also affected in 21.7 pc of all patients. There is a need for serum uric acid levels for the different localities in Africa to be mapped out and alcohol excess to be curtailed.
authors.affiliation: Harare Central Hospital, Southerton, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lutalo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006073:Gout / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D014527:Uric Acid