Gout caused by genes, not guzzling red meat and wine, study finds
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.
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.
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."
Symptoms of gout
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
What triggers a gout attack?
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.
Read more about gout and arthritis:
BBC Dr Xand warns 'avoid' common dinner as it could increase risk of gout (SurreyLive, 3-min read)
Reduce arthritis pain with one food expert says is 'natural remedy' for condition (Daily Record, 2-min read)
What is psoriatic arthritis? Adam Thomas in 'pain every day' from condition (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
