It seems that anything that makes uric acid sediment out of the bloodstream potentiates an attack. One time my foot got out from under the covers on a cold night and I got an attack. My doctor used to poo-poo that, but I know it happened.
Your doctor must not have paid attention in medical school.
The reason that gout usually occurs in the foot is that it is the coolest part of the body. Uric acid is poorly soluble in warm fluid and even less so as the temperature drops.