Gout, particularly diuretics-induced, is one the increase in Finland.

Gout has been considered a rare disease in Finland. However, our hospital series of 77 patients from 1952 to 1976 shows a striking increase during the last 8 years. Over those 8 years the number of persons in the whole country receiving prescribed reimbursable medicines for gout and/or hyperuricaemia rose 10-fold, from 218 to 2188. Diuretics were implicated in one-fourth of our patients-all recent cases. Associated morbidity was high in both obese and non-obese patients. The clinical features and dietary habits of the patients are discussed.