GOUT. THE ‘AT YOUR FINGERTIPS’ GUIDE. By R. Grahame, H. A. Simmonds and E. Carrey. £17.99. Class Publishing, London, 2003. ISBN 1-85959-06705.

M. M. A. Fernando

This concise 138-page book is a pleasure to read. It aims to answer important and common queries on gout and its management. It is a new publication this year, and the latest addition to the ‘At Your Fingertips’ series by Class Publishing, which I have not come across before. These books are primarily aimed at patients and are based on a question-and-answer format. As a rheumatologist I found this particular book both informative and interesting. There are numerous books in the series, which include Heart Health, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes and Alzheimer's. The publisher's advertise a no-quibble money-back guarantee for the unsatisfied!

The authors are Professor Rodney Grahame, currently consultant rheumatologist at University College London Hospitals, and Dr Anne Simmonds and Dr Elizabeth Carrey, who are members of the Purine Research Unit at Guy's Hospital, London.

The book purports to be ‘based on the questions posed by people with gout and their families’. The seven chapters are followed by a useful glossary, and the book ends with two appendices of useful addresses and useful publications respectively. The chapters begin with ‘What is gout?’ succeeded by ‘Living with gout’, ‘Drugs to combat the pain and inflammation’, ‘Drugs to lower the level of urate in the blood’, ‘Food and drink’, ‘Gout in young people’ and ‘Research and the future’. There are helpful subheadings within each chapter. I found the chapter on gout in the young particularly fascinating. The text is straightforward, practical and easy to understand, with medical terms explained in a clear manner. There are some entertaining black and white cartoon and line illustrations dotted throughout this guide. I am sure that the odd colour photograph would enhance the attractiveness of this book, but this is a minor criticism.

I would highly recommend this book to patients and their families, as well as to clinicians of all grades and specialities who deal with patients with gout and hyperuricaemia. It is informative, entertaining and can be read in an evening!





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