The changing epidemiology of gout

Nature Clinical Practice Rheumatology volume 3, pages443–449(2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Gout is one of the most common inflammatory arthritides, which is considered to be a true crystal deposition disorder caused by the formation of monosodium urate crystals in and around joints. A number of epidemiological studies from a diverse range of countries suggest that gout has increased in prevalence and incidence in recent years and that the clinical pattern of gout is becoming more complex. In particular, the greatest increase has been observed in primary gout in older men. Robust epidemiological studies have established risk factors for gout including genetic factors, excess alcohol consumption, purine-rich diet, the metabolic syndrome (obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance), use of diuretics and chronic renal failure. Trends in alcohol use, diet, obesity and the metabolic syndrome in the general population might explain changes in the prevalence and incidence of gout in the community. Osteoarthritis, which is thought to predispose patients to monosodium urate crystal deposition in their joints, is becoming more prevalent as a consequence of increased longevity. In hospital settings, widespread diuretic use, increasing prevalence of end-stage renal failure and the success of organ transplant programmes have led to an increase in clinical complexity. Suboptimal management of gout is likely to have contributed to the rise in the prevalence of clinically overt, symptomatic, chronic gout.

Key Points

  • The prevalence and incidence of gout have increased in recent years

  • The most marked increase has been seen in primary gout in older men

  • Risk factors for gout include genetic factors, excess alcohol consumption, purine-rich diet, the metabolic syndrome, diuretic use, chronic renal failure and osteoarthritis

  • Trends in the epidemiology of these risk factors might explain changes in the prevalence and incidence of gout

  • Suboptimal management is a significant contributor to the rise in the prevalence of clinically overt, symptomatic, chronic gout

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Figure 1: Prevalence of gout in US men, 1990–1999 (adapted, with permission, from Wallace et al. 2004)3
Figure 2: Prevalence of gout in men in New Zealand
Figure 3: Incidence of gout in men and women in the UK, 1990–1999 (adapted, with permission, from Mikuls et al. 2005)13
Figure 4: Simplified diagram of uric acid production and excretion

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful for funding from the Arthritis Research Campaign, UK.

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Affiliations

  1. E Roddy is a Clinical Research Fellow at the Primary Care Musculoskeletal Research Centre, Keele University, UK.

    Edward Roddy

  2. W Zhang is Associate Professor of Musculoskeletal Epidemiology and M Doherty is Professor of Rheumatology at the Academic Rheumatology Department, University of Nottingham, UK.

    Weiya Zhang & Michael Doherty

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  1. Edward Roddy
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  2. Weiya Zhang
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  3. Michael Doherty
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Correspondence to Edward Roddy.

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Roddy, E., Zhang, W. & Doherty, M. The changing epidemiology of gout. Nat Rev Rheumatol 3, 443–449 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncprheum0556

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