The reverse of this happens overnight, (obviously - or your feetwould just keep getting bigger and bigger each day!) and happensquite rapidly, the swelling of a 16hr day goes down in about 2-3hours, hence the 2am anecdotal thing.

…so (locally) increasing the concentration/saturation levels ofuric acid - so precipitation and an attack is likely to occur.

Why the feet, especially the toes? Think it is simply an extremity,so more prone to heat loss - (a fluid is less able to hold a solutein solution as the temperature falls - precipitation again)

If it is simply ‘feet get cold’ why are gout sufferers never advisedto wear thick/warm socks in bed - not very sexy, but then again noris agonising pain!