01/07/2026
As a Foot Care Nurse I come across clients with arthritis all the time. Did you know there are 6 major categories?
Degenerative - Osteoarthritis;
Inflammatory - Rheumatoid, Psoriatic, Ankylosing Spondylitis;
Crystal Forming - Gout (under other categories as well), Pseudogout;
Infectious - Septic Arthritis, Reactive;
Metabolic/Genetic - Hemochromatosis, Wilson's Disease;
Childhood Forms - Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis which is a group of arthritis types that affect children.
According to Arthritis Society Canada there are approximately 1 million Canadians affected by gout, reinforcing its prevalence as the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in the country.
Globally, in 2020, it is estimated 55.8 million people worldwide were living with Gout. This is a 22.5% increase since 1990.
Men are typically diagnosed more often than women at 3.7% vs 1.1%
What causes Gout?
Hyperurucemia: Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down purines, natural substances found in your cells and in foods like red meat, organ meats, seafood and sugary drinks. Normally, your kidneys eliminate uric acid in urine. However, if production exceeds elimination, uric acid accumulates in the blood. When uric acid becomes too concentrated in the blood it starts to crystalize - monosodium urate. These crystals, MSU, then get deposited in joints and surrounding tissues triggering intense inflammation and pain characteristics of Gout.
Risk factors include genetic predisposition, s*x and age, associated conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, diabetes, kidney or cardiovascular disease.
Among those with diabetes, globally, 16.7% have both diabetes and gout. In North America it is 20.7%. (Springer; diabetes journal.org)
Symptoms of Gout:
Sudden, intense joint pain which usually occurs at night;
Swelling and redness around an affected joint;
Warmth and tenderness to touch;
Limited range of motion during a flare;
Gout most commonly affects the big toe, but can involve ankles, knees, wrists, and fingers.
Why it is more serious for someone with diabetes or metabolic disease:
Gout and diabetes share metabolic links so a flare can worsen overall health, increase cardiovascular strain, and complicate the management of diabetes.
A Foot Care Nurse is trained to prevent, treat and educate clients. Suffering with foot pain is no longer warranted. Call a foot care nurse today and schedule your yearly check up. Everyone should have preventative education.
Sources: Diabetes Canada American Diabetes Association Springer Nature Mayo Clinic Arthritis Foundation and Arthritis Society Canada.
Photo credit to Health IQ
