[Hyperuricemia and gout : New aspects of an old disease].

Gouty arthritis is one of the most common arthritides. Due to increasing life expectancy and changing life style, a rising incidence and prevalence of gout can be expected. Because of associations with the diseases metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular morbidity, gout patients often suffer from significant morbidity. Besides the consequent usage of conventional therapeutics, new treatments for gout attacks and for lowering urate levels are available even for patients refractory to conventional therapy.