Mechanisms of Bone Erosion in Chronic Gout: Lessons Learned from Other Erosive Arthropathies

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis caused by deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) monohydrate crystals within the joint. Bone erosion is a frequent manifestation of chronic tophaceous gout, and leads to joint damage and deformity, with subsequent disability. This review summarises current understanding of bone remodelling, bone erosion in other erosive arthropathies and related conditions, and bone erosion in chronic gout. In particular, recent research implicating tophus invasion into bone and disordered osteoclastogenesis in the pathogenesis of bone erosion in gout is emphasised.