Gout must be regarded as a systemic and chronic disease with potentially serious sequelae. Hyperuricemia is probably an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, at least in high-risk individuals. Nevertheless, current data do not justify for the moment the treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Finally, if allopurinol remains the only available agent in Switzerland for the treatment of chronic gout, new molecules, like febuxostat and pegylated uricase, are currently being evaluated.