A significant global study has revealed that gout is a chronic condition primarily driven by genetics, rather than the lifestyle choices of those affected.
A significant global study has revealed that gout is a chronic condition primarily driven by genetics, rather than the lifestyle choices of those affected.
Conducted by researchers at the University of Otago, this genome-wide association study was published in Nature Genetics and involved the genetic data of 2.6 million individuals.
The team examined combined DNA datasets collected worldwide, with around 75% sourced from participants of 23andMe, Inc, a company specializing in direct-to-consumer genetics and preventative health, who consented to partake in the research.
The study concluded that inherited genetics play a crucial role in why certain individuals develop gout while others do not.
Professor Tony Merriman, the senior author from Otago’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, hopes this research will help eliminate some of the stigma associated with gout.
“Gout is a chronic condition with a genetic component and is not the individual’s fault — we need to disprove the myth that lifestyle or dietary choices are the primary causes of gout,” he stated.
“This pervasive myth can cause feelings of shame in gout sufferers, leading some to endure their pain in silence and avoiding medical advice that could provide preventive treatment to lower urate levels in the blood.”
“It’s important for people to recognize that although certain dietary factors like red meat can provoke gout flare-ups, the underlying issue is elevated urate levels, the presence of crystals in the joints, and an immune system that reacts against these crystals — genetics is a key player in these mechanisms.”
The research pinpointed numerous immune-related genes and pathways, offering new possibilities for preventing gout attacks.
Professor Merriman envisions that these discoveries could enhance treatments available to those with gout.
“We are hopeful that in the future, more effective and accessible therapies will emerge based on the new targets we’ve identified,” he explained.
One potential avenue could be repurposing a medication currently used to treat various immune-related conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis; tocilizumab, which acts on a receptor for an immune signal molecule called interleukin-6, has been identified in this study as a new gene relevant to gout.
“Gout warrants increased healthcare funding and should be prioritized more within our health system.”
Key facts about gout:
– Gout is the most prevalent type of arthritis among men, affecting them about three to four times more than women.
– Gout attacks stem from intense inflammation in the joints due to a reaction to urate crystals, which form when urate levels in the body are elevated.
– Although diet plays a minor role in increasing urate levels, it is recognized as a trigger for gout in individuals with existing urate crystals in their joints.
– Gout can be effectively managed with medications (such as allopurinol) that reduce blood urate levels and prevent or dissolve urate crystals in the joints.
– As gout is a chronic condition, treatment must be ongoing.
