Patient/caregiver was educated on primary hyperuricemia as follows:

Elevated uric acid levels in the blood is called hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia in the body can be due to the following reasons –

Primary hyperuricemia

• Primary hyperuricemia is due to increased production of uric acid by the body from the metabolism of purines (part of proteins we eat) in the diet.
• This condition is mainly secondary to increased protein consumption, especially proteins high in purine content, such as, organ meat and sea food.
• High amounts of dietary proteins consumed are metabolized in the body, resulting in increased production of uric acid.
• Alcoholic beverages, especially beer, are rich in purine content too. So, excessive consumption of alcohol can contribute to production of increased uric acid levels in the body.
• Uric acid produced is normally excreted by the kidneys. In primary hyperuricemia, uric acid is produced by the body in quantities that are difficult to be excreted by the kidneys.
• This results in excessive blood levels of uric acid and primary hyperuricemia.
• Excess of uric acid crystallizes around multiple joints, causing arthritis, swelling and limitation of range of motion in the joints involved, and results in development of gout.