We compared gouty diathesis with uric acid versus calcium stones.
We retrospectively reviewed clinical and laboratory data from 95 gouty diathesis patients (28 with uric acid and 67 with calcium stones) and 99 normal subjects.
Of the gouty diathesis patients gouty arthritis was present in 21% of those with uric acid and 12% of those with calcium stones. Hyperuricemia developed in 43% of those with uric acid and 27% of those with calcium stones, and 2% of controls. Urinary pH was independent of the net gastrointestinal absorption of alkali in the gouty diathesis groups. Urinary pH and citrate increased after potassium citrate treatment.
The characteristic features of primary gout were present in both gouty diathesis groups and both are responsive to treatment.