Chronic polyarticular gout in the elderly: a report of six cases.

This report describes six elderly patients with previously undiagnosed and untreated chronic polyarticular gout, five of whom were seen at a Geriatric Rehabilitation and Assessment Unit within a 3-month period. All were on long-term diuretic therapy. Four patients had coexisting osteoarthritis. Three patients were unable to recall any prior history of attacks of acute arthritis and four patients were significantly disabled from gout. Chronic polyarticular gout in these patients was previously misdiagnosed and inadequately treated, resulting in otherwise preventable disability.