Two-thirds of the 5 million Americans suffering from gout, the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in men, say the disease isnt taken seriously, a new survey finds.

As Associate Minister of Health, with particular responsibility for Maori Health, I am acutely aware that hospitalisation rates for arthritis (including gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) are higher for Mori than non-Mori.

Arthritis New Zealand would like to urge MP Tau Henare to get his uric acid levels tested for gout after he revealed to the Herald he has been diagnosed with diabetes, especially given his love of paua.

Gout is a disease that is characterized by high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream in the form of crystals of monosodium urate (MSU) or uric acid and deposited on the cartilage of the joints, tendons and the surrounding tissues. As the uric acid crystallizes or hardens an attack is very painful and could further lead on to chronic gouty arthritis if not treated promptly.

It is never fun to have sudden pain attacks in your joint - even if it is just a single joint in your body. Gout is among the many kinds of joint conditions that fall under arthritis that can affect any one of any age at any time and place. However, gout is most commonly first observed in the big toe and most attacks happen at night. Gouty joints are typically identified through red signs of inflammation.