RESUMO
Background: Tophi gout refers to the condition, where consistently high level of uric acid in the body causes the deposition of uric acid or monosodium urate crystals on the joints. Objective: To describe clinical and subclinical features of tophi gout. Subjects and method: A study conducted in 51 patients with tophi gout (according to Bennett-Wood criteria - 1968) in Department of Rheumatology, Bach Mai hospital, from February 2005 to February 2006. This was a cross-sectional prospective study. Results: The average time of tophi appearance lasted 5.3 \xb1 5.7 years. The average number of tophi was 4.5 \xb1 3.9. The most common positions of tophi were tarso - metatarsal - phalangeal joints and elbow joints (43-47%). 100% had gouty arthritis (in which 66.6% > 4 joints), 50-55% involved tarso - metatarsal - phalangeal joints (43.1% had deforming joints). On X-ray, 62.7% cases has injuries, para-articular erosions and overhanging margins (62.5%), joints space narrowing (71.9%), proliferation osseous change (43.8%). Renal stones examined by ultrasound were 41%, renal failure 24.6%. Blood analysis showed hyperuricemia (88.2%), hypertriglyceridemia (54.9%), hyperglycaemia (13.6%). Conclusions: Common features tophi gout were injuries in tarso - metatarsal - phalangeal joints; gouty polyarthritis over 4 joints. X-ray images showed para-articular erosions, joints space narrowing, proliferation osseous changes.
