FEMALE PREMENOPAUSAL TOPHACEOUS GOUT INDUCED BY LONG-TERM DIURETIC ABUSE

We describe 3 cases of tophaceous gout affecting premenopausal women. The only precipitating factor to be found was the chronic and unnecess ary overuse of furosemide, apparently resulting from a psychological p rofile of anorexia nervosa. Our cases emphasize the need for physician s to look for hidden abuse of diuretics in the presence of gouty arthr itis in menstruating women, especially if tophi are noted.