The perceived origins of gout may be tied more to the liquor on the table than to the more localized work of the devil. Gout is an inherited disorder of uric-acid metabolism occurring predominantly in men, characterized by painful inflammation of the joints, especially of the feet and hands, and arthritic attacks resulting from elevated levels of uric acid in the blood and the deposition of urate crystals around the joints. The condition can become chronic and result in deformity.