Beginner's
Guide to Gout

Lifestyle

About 12% of gout cases are linked to dietary causes. A diet rich in meat, seafood, alcohol and fructose-sweetened drinks could increase your risk of developing this painful condition.

GeneticsGout could be passed on from generation to generation. Several genes have been identified that are linked to an increased risk of hyperuricaemia (high serum uric acid level), which is the pathological basis of gout.

Medical Conditions

Gout is often diagnosed together with a couple of other medical conditions, including hypertension, obesity and insulin resistance.

Medications

Certain medications could be linked to the increased frequency of gout attacks.

Gout is a benign and seldom life-threatening condition, but the pain associated with it is usually unbearable and debilitating. If left untreated, the affected joints may become damaged and deformed, leading to a drastic drop in the quality of life. Other than the joints, the urate crystals may also accumulate within the skin and kidneys, leading to the formation of tophi and kidney stones respectively. These complications can greatly affect the daily life and psychosocial health of the patient.

Although painful and unpleasant, gout is highly treatable. While genetics and family history are predisposing factors that cannot be changed, patients with a history of gout are advised to modify their diet and lifestyle to prevent future attacks.

Foods such as organ meats, shellfish, legumes and certain vegetables such as cauliflower and mushrooms are high in purines. Consumption of these food types can increase the serum uric acid level, leading to an episode of gout attack. Some recent studies suggest that plant sources of purines are not as important, but for many patients, they remain a concern and should be avoided. Obesity is a known risk factor for gout, so exercising regularly and losing weight may be a good idea to reduce one’s risk.

The key to medical treatment of gout is keeping serum uric acid levels low. If you are able to adhere to a low-purine diet, medication may not be required. However, when there is poor control of the blood uric acid level, the chance of a repeat episode of gout dramatically increases, and oral medication is recommended to bring the blood uric acid level down. In an acute flareup, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are usually given for symptomatic control. Colchicine is an important medication used to treat and also prevent gout flares in the joints. Medications such as allopurinol and febuxostat can be given to achieve the treatment target of serum uric acid of < 6mg/dl. This is the level below which crystals will not form.

Ultimately, strict dietary modification and the maintenance of good general health will go a long way towards preventing gout attacks.

Gout is a benign and seldom life-threatening condition, but the pain associated with it is usually unbearable and debilitating. If left untreated, the affected joints may become damaged and deformed.