Gout caused by genes, not guzzling red meat and wine, study finds

Kate Ng
·Trending Lifestyle Reporter
Updated ·4-min read
Gout is more common among men, especially as they get older. (Getty Images)
Gout is more common among men, especially as they get older. (Getty Images)

The word ‘gout’ often brings to mind lavish feasts, with plenty of red meat, fatty foods and alcohol consumed that triggers the condition that was once known as the "rich man’s disease".

In fact, gout was even known as the "disease of kings" because of its association with decadent eating enjoyed by the upper classes and royalty. King Henry VIII famously suffered from gout, as did Queen Victoria and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.

However, a new study suggests that our perception of gout isn’t accurate. The international study, led by researchers at the University of Otago, gout is a chronic illness in which genetics play a major role, instead of being caused by lifestyle choices.

The researchers analysed the genetic information of 2.6 million people in the genome-wide association study, using about three-quarters of the data from customers of 23andMe who agreed to participate in the research.

They found that while symptoms of gout, which is a type of arthritis, do become exacerbated when patients make certain dietary choices, inherited genetics actually play a more important part in why some people get the illness and others don’t.

Circa 1540, Portrait of Henry VIII of England (1491-1547). Reigned 1509-47. Executed three wives and Thomas More, made union of England and Wales. (Photo by Stock Montage/Getty Images)
Henry VIII famously suffered from gout. (Getty Images)

Professor Tony Merriman, senior author of the study, said it is hopes that the findings will remove some of the stigma around gout.

"Gout is a chronic disease with a genetic basis and is not the fault of the sufferer - the myth that gout is caused by lifestyle or diet needs to be busted," Prof Merriman, of Otago’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, said.

"This widespread myth causes shame in people with gout, making some people more likely to suffer in silence and not go and see the doctor to get a preventive drug that lowers urate in the blood and will prevent their pain."

He warned, though, that patients must understand that specific dietary choices, such as eating red meat, can trigger gout attacks because the main cause of gout is high urate levels.

Having too much uric acid in your blood can lead to crystals forming around the joints, which causes pain. Gout is more common in men, especially as they get older.

Diagnosis of gout vector illustration. Cartoon tiny people study infographic foot medical diagram, doctors diagnose arthritis inflammation and pain in joint articulation due to uric acid crystals
Gout causes crystals to form in joints, which can lead to pain. It most commonly forms in the big toe. (Getty Images)

The research found a large number of immune genes and immune pathways that could point to new approaches for preventing gout attacks.

Prof Merriman added: "We hope that, in time, better and more accessible treatments will become available with the new targets we identified."

According to the NHS, the main symptoms of gout are:

  • Sudden, severe pain in a joint (usually the big toe, but can be in other joints in the feet, ankles, hands, wrists, elbows, knees)

  • Hot, swollen, red skin over the affected joints

You may be at a higher risk of developing gout if you:

  • Are overweight

  • Drink alcohol

  • Have been through menopause

  • Take medicines such as diuretics or medicines for high blood pressure

  • Have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, kidney problems, osteoarthritis, or diabetes

  • Have had surgery or an injury

(Statista)
(Statista)

Gout can come back intermittently. It can sometimes be months or years between attacks, but it can come back more frequently if left untreated.

Certain lifestyle factors can trigger a gout attack, such as:

  • Having an illness that causes a high temperature

  • Drinking too much alcohol

  • Eating a very large, fatty meal

  • Getting dehydrated

  • Injuring a joint

  • Taking certain medicines

Foods that are high in purine can exacerbate gout attacks. Purine is a chemical naturally found in certain foods and drinks that turns into uric acid once the body breaks it down. It can be found in red meats, oily fish, alcohol, certain seafoods, and game meats.

You should get treatment immediately if you feel an attack starting. Attacks can last between one to two weeks if left untreated, and can cause lasting damage to joints.

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