The chronic stage of gout, characterized by crystalline deposits in cartilage, synovial membranes, and soft tissue, is called:

a. monoarticular arthritis.
b. tophaceous gout.
c. asymptomatic hyperuricemia.
d. complicated gout.

ANS: B
Tophaceous gout is the third and chronic stage of the disease. It is characterized by a progressive inability to excrete uric acid, which expands the urate pool. This causes urate crystal deposits (tophi) to appear in cartilage, synovial membranes, tendons, and soft tissue. The characteristic crystalline deposits are not associated with monarticular or complicated gout. Asymptomatic hyperuricemia would not lead to crystalline deposits.