Gout, an inflammation impacting joints, stems from hyperuricemia or the elevated urate levels or uric acid in blood. Once labeled 'the king of diseases and the disease of kings,' gout's hereditary nature has been affirmed by many studies in the past and not because it is a result of dietary habits.
Genetics of Gout
Gout is an inflammatory joint condition triggered by hyperuricemia, characterized by elevated urate levels in blood due to purine metabolism. Urate, a product of purines found in DNA, RNA, and meat, is usually excreted through urine, but accumulation can lead to joint inflammation. Genetic and environmental factors play a role, impacting urate excretion.
In 2013, scientists at The University of Nottingham confirmed that gout is strongly linked to genetics. The study supports the clinical observation that gout extensively clusters in families, with individuals having first-degree relatives suffering from gout being twice as likely to develop the condition in Taiwan.
The risk of gout escalates based on the number of first-degree relatives affected, with an 8-fold increase in risk for twin brothers and a 2-fold increase for parents or offspring with gout. Shared environmental factors are also significant contributors to gout development, alongside genetic predisposition.
The interplay of environmental and genetic influences on gout risk differs between men and women, with genetic factors accounting for a third of the risk in men and a fifth in women.
Professor Michael Doherty, the Head of Academic Rheumatology, emphasized that both genetic and environmental factors play roles in gout onset, with family history raising the risk and modifiable shared environmental factors like diet and lifestyle.
The study's implications stimulate inquiries into susceptibility genes through large-scale genetic profiling and exploration of shared environmental factors contributing to gout risk within families through further epidemiology studies, including in diverse regions.
Risks of Getting Gout
As stated, the likelihood of developing gout is higher to those with a family member with the condition. But some people also could have higher risk if they are male, or if you struggle with obesity. Taking certain medications, including diuretics or those that increase urine production, can also elevate your risk.
Alcohol consumption, along with the intake of high-fructose foods like sweetened beverages, and high-purine foods such as red meat or organ meat, contribute to the susceptibility. Impaired kidney function, as well as underlying conditions like congestive heart failure, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, or high blood pressure, further elevate the likelihood of developing gout.
Genetic testing for gout is available, aiming to identify risk alleles or genetic variations associated with gout susceptibility. The number of risk alleles a person possesses directly correlates with their likelihood of developing gout; those with five or more risk alleles face a greater risk than those with four or fewer, as indicated by a 2016 study. Medical professionals can advise individuals on whether genetic testing for gout is appropriate for them.
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