Gout is one of the most common types of inflammatory arthritis. It's caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood. This buildup causes uric acid crystals to form around joints — most commonly, your big toe, knee, or ankle. These crystals cause severe pain, swelling, warmth, and redness in the affected joints.
Although it affects 4% to 5% of adults in the United States, gout often goes undiagnosed or undertreated.
UPMC is staffed by fellowship-trained experts at the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology who provide comprehensive care for people with gout. You'll receive expert diagnosis and treatment designed to manage your symptoms when they occur and reduce the risk of future flare-ups.
Our rheumatology providers offer advanced, specialized, and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for people with gout.
If you have symptoms of gout or have already been diagnosed with gout, you may be eligible for specialized care.
Our experts offer the following services:
Our experts will perform a complete physical exam, order tests, and review your symptoms and medical history before diagnosing gout.
Our team will work closely with you to help you understand your condition, treatment plan, and how you can reduce your risk of gout flare-ups.
Your doctor will recommend lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of gout flare-ups and help you manage other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
We offer medications to treat gout symptoms, prevent and reduce the risk of future flare-ups, and help manage related chronic conditions and risk factors. Our experts will select the right medication, dosage, and regimen for you.
Our experts participate in clinical trials and research to learn more about gout and find new treatment options.
To prepare for your visit, you will be asked to provide:
If you get a referral from your primary care provider or another physician, they may be able to provide your test results and medical records to our team.
On the day of your appointment, you should arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
You should bring:
If you need to cancel your appointment, please call our office as soon as possible. We request at least 24 hours’ notice for all cancellations.
When you arrive for your first appointment, you'll meet with a provider. They will ask about your medical history, perform an exam, and order tests.
Your care team will let you know when your test results will be ready.
After our experts have your test results, health records, and exam information, they will diagnose your condition. They may schedule a follow-up visit to review your results and explain your treatment options.
Together, you and your health care provider will design and agree on a care plan, which may include:
Our team will schedule follow-up appointments to check how your treatment is working.
You should contact our office if:
UPMC accepts many health insurance plans. We ask that you check with your health plan if you have questions about your coverage for doctor’s visits, hospital stays, diagnostic tests, or medical procedures. You're responsible for paying any non-covered charges.
If you have an insurance co-pay for office visits, you will be asked to pay it at the time of your visit. We accept most common forms of payment.
To request an appointment, call 888-349-1506.
When you choose UPMC, you'll receive:
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-04-17.
