hyperuricemia

pathology

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 20, 2026

Quick Summary

Hyperuricemia is a condition characterized by an excess of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a byproduct of the breakdown of purines, which are essential components of DNA and RNA. In humans, small amounts of uric acid are normally excreted in urine. However, in individuals with hyperuricemia, the body produces too much uric acid or does not excrete enough of it. This can lead to the deposition of uric acid salts in joints and other tissues, causing conditions like gout, a painful inflammatory disorder of the joints. Medications like allopurinol can be used to treat hyperuricemia by reducing uric acid production.12345

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

arthritis
Crystalloid arthritis
…uric acid excretion, leading to hyperuricemia. Although acute gouty attacks are self-limited when hyperuricemia is left untreated for years, such attacks can recur intermittently, involving multiple joints. Chronic tophaceous gout occurs when, after about 10 years, chalky, pasty deposits of monosodium urate crystals begin to accumulate in the soft tissue,…
Read More
…uric acid excretion, leading to hyperuricemia. Although acute gouty attacks are self-limited when hyperuricemia is left untreated for years, such attacks can recur intermittently, involving multiple joints. Chronic tophaceous gout occurs when, after about 10 years, chalky, pasty deposits of monosodium urate crystals begin to accumulate in the soft tissue,…
Read More