The Facts
Gout is a type of arthritis, characterized by sudden, severe attacks of
joint pain with redness, warmth, and swelling in the affected area. It usually
attacks only one joint at a time. It most often strikes the joint of the big
toe, where it's also known as podagra, but other toes can also be involved.
Gout is typically a condition of middle age, ten times more common in men than
in women, unusual in people under the age of 30, and rarely seen in women before
menopause. A first gout attack most commonly occurs around age 47. It's most
common in countries with high standards of living, mainly because diet plays
a big part in this condition. It affects about 1% of the population.