Gout risk factors

Gout is a disease related to joints that usually develops in patients with high levels of uric acid. The uric acid precipitates as needle-like crystals in the tissues mainly in the joints and other articular tissues resulting in sudden severe episodic pain, redness. warmth and swelling. There are a number of factors[1] that can lead to the development of gout. Gout is seen in about 4% of people in America. It is more common in men than in women with a ratio of nearly 3:1. There are numerous risk factors like Genes, Gender, and age, Diet, Obesity, Alcohol consumption, Medical condo=itions, and medication use. All the former mentioned risk factors increase the risk of developing gout in the patients.

Gout is a disease related to joints that usually develops in patients with high levels of uric acid. The uric acid precipitates as needle-like crystals in the tissues mainly in the joints and other articular tissues resulting in sudden severe episodic pain, redness. warmth and swelling. There are a number of factors^[1][2] that can lead to the development of gout. Gout is seen in about 4% of people in America. It is more common in men than in women with a ratio of nearly 3:1. There are numerous risk factors for the development of out and can increase the chances of the patient developing the painful joint disease.

Genes

The studies conducted at MRC Human Genetic units proved that the patients who suffer from usually have a positive family history of gout. And in these patients, the most important factor noted is the presence of a gene variant that is linked to the low levels of uric acid excretion.

Gender and Age

Gout predominance is seen most commonly in men. The theory proposed by a various scientist is that the higher levels of estrogens in females play a protective role during their reproductive age group period and usually increases after the occurrence of menopause in females and matches the risk equivalent to men’s for that age group.

Diet

Diets such as Seafood consumption or consumption of a diet rich in fructose beverages have been found to be linked to the higher levels of uric acid and in turn, leading to the development of gout. The higher purine content in the seafood gets broken down to uric acid and in turn, leads to the production of gout.

Obesity

Uric acid excretion is thought to be dependent on the body surface area also. so In an obese person, the body is more likely to produce more uric acid and it can get worse if the patient also has underlying renal abnormality present along with it.

Alcohol Consumption

Alcoholic drinks especially beer are high in purine content and thus contribute the greatest to the development of gout. Even the quantity of alcohol intake also plays a huge in the development of gout. More than 2 drinks a day is also a risk factor for the development of gout. So it is always advisable to cut down the alcohol drinking to the minimal and best is to stop it completely, if possible.

Medical Conditions

The medical conditions like High Blood pressure^[3], high blood sugar, heart, and kidney diseases contribute to the greatest extent in the development of gout.

Medications

A lot of Medications are associated with the risk of developing gout. The most common amongst them are Diuretics and also the drugs that affect the immune system increase the risk of developing gout. So it is always advisable to discuss with the primary care physician before starting any other medication.

Recent Surgery or Trauma

Any surgery can increase the risk of developing gout with more correlation to joint surgery or accidents.