Risk factors of gout include male sex; obesity; hypertension; alcohol intake; and a diet rich in meat, seafood, and fructose-rich food and beverages. Gout is characterized by swelling, pain, or tenderness in a peripheral joint or bursa. Diagnosis is made using several validated clinical prediction rules. Arthrocentesis should be performed when suspicion for an underlying septic joint is present; synovial fluid or tophus analysis should be performed if the diagnosis is uncertain. Colchicine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids all relieve pain in acute episodes. Indications for chronic urate-lowering therapy include chronic kidney disease, two or more flares per year, urolithiasis, the presence of tophus, chronic gouty arthritis, and joint damage.

Common eye emergencies include central retinal artery occlusions, chemical injuries, mechanical globe injuries, and retinal detachments. Family physicians should be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of each condition and be able to perform a basic eye examination to evaluate the patient.