Final answer:
Gout is an inflammatory arthritis characterized by needle-shaped, negatively birefringent crystals of uric acid in the joints. Treatment includes NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and colchicine for acute attacks, with a focus on lowering uric acid levels through medication and lifestyle changes for long-term management.
Step-by-step explanation:
The condition described, inflammatory arthritis with needle-shaped, negatively birefringent crystals, pertains to gout, which is a specific type of arthritis. It is characterized by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals within joints, leading to intense inflammatory response. Diagnosis is typically based on the clinical presentation and is often confirmed by the identification of urate crystals in synovial fluid under polarized light microscopy.
Treatment for acute gout attacks commonly includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and colchicine to reduce inflammation and pain. Long-term management might include lifestyle changes, such as dietary modifications and weight reduction. Additionally, urate-lowering therapies like allopurinol or febuxostat are advised to prevent future episodes by controlling hyperuricemia, which is the high levels of uric acid in the blood that contribute to crystal formation.