Clinical and Biochemical Presentation of Gouty Diathesis: Comparison of Uric Acid Versus Pure Calcium Stone Formation

Purpose: We compared gouty diathesis with uric acid versus calcium stones. Materials and Methods: 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. Results: Of the gouty diathesis patients gouty arthritis was present in 21 percent of those with uric acid and 12 percent of those with calcium stones. Hyperuricemia developed in 43 percent of those with uric acid and 27 percent of those with calcium stones, and 2 percent 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. Conclusions: The characteristic features of primary gout were present in both gouty diathesis groups and both are responsive to treatment.