If chronic gout is left untreated, it can lead to various complications apart from joint damage and deformity. Some complications caused by untreated gout are:

• Joint and cartilage damage
• Deformity of joints
• Loss of mobility or a particular range of motions
• Bone loss
• Tophi
• Kidney stones
• Kidney diseases

Why does gout lead to the formation of kidney stones?
Uric acid stones are one of the four types of kidney stones, the other types being calcium, cystine, and struvite stones. Kidney stones are a hard mass of crystallized minerals that form in the kidneys or the urinary tract. Uric acid stones form when the urine is very acidic (with PH levels below 5.5). As the condition is caused by the buildup of high levels of uric acid in the body, a patient is prone to developing kidney stones.

In people affected by the condition, uric acid forms spiky crystals that are painful. These crystals may also form a stone in the kidney or other parts of the urinary tract, and they cause severe pain. Around 15% of people with the condition have been affected by kidney stones. Also, certain medicines that are taken to lower the uric acid levels in the blood work by increasing the amount of uric acid excreted by the kidneys. These medications sometimes lead to the formation of kidney stones. If one is taking uric-acid-lowering drugs and they develop kidney stones, they should opt out of these medications after consulting the doctor.

Gout and chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease is a condition where the kidneys slowly stop functioning effectively over a period of time. The kidneys help to remove uric acid and urine from the body. If these organs do not work properly, it leads to a buildup of uric acid in the blood, which triggers gout. The condition may also contribute to kidney problems due to kidney stones as people with recurrent kidney stones are at an increased risk of chronic kidney disease. It is recommended for people with the condition to get their kidneys checked for disease.

Some other effects of gout are as mentioned:

Loss of sleep
As gout attacks happen mostly at night, the continued pain can keep one awake. This leads to fatigue, mood swings, loss of appetite, and stress.

Joint deformity
Acute attacks are more frequent if the condition is not treated, and the inflammation caused by these attacks damage the joint tissues.

Heart disease
Gout is common among people with high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and heart failure. The deposit crystals cause an inflammatory response, which leads to dangerous blood clots, triggering heart attacks.

The diagnosis of the condition should raise a red flag for doctors and the patient, highlighting the importance of precautionary measures in preventing other complications. Prevention strategies like a healthy diet and regular exercise go a long way in reducing the heart problems associated with the condition. A comprehensive cardiovascular checkup is essential to ascertain the functioning of the heart and to detect clots earlier. This will help make the needed interventions earlier, which will make a positive difference for the heart health of the patient.