A new study has found that there has been an increase in the prevalence of gout around the world at an alarming rate based on data collected from 1990 to 2017.
Published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology, the analysis aims to inform the public of the rise of the cases gout, which is an inflammatory form of arthritis that causes severe pain, tenderness, and redness in the joints.
According to the study, there were approximately 41.5 million prevalent cases in 2017, and with the new rate of added cases being 92 per 100,000 individuals, an increase of 5.5% has been recorded from the numbers in the year 1990.
Dr. Saeid Safiri and his colleagues at the Aging Research Institute at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in Iran used data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 to assess the trends and level of point prevalence, years lived with disability (YLD), and annual incidence for gout and its known risk factors in more than 190 countries from 1990 to 2017.
Although anyone can be stricken by gout, the report says that seniors, as well as males, were commonly most affected. In addition, the burden of gout was found to be highest in highly developed countries with impaired kidney function, and high BMI listed as risk factors.
While disconcerting, the good news is that most cases of gout can be treated, being one of the few types of arthritis that is actually preventable. It is most of the time confused with calcium pyrophosphate depositions but what irritates the joints in this condition is not uric acid, but actually crystals.
According to experts, gout can be diagnosed using ultrasound, MRI, X-ray, blood tests, a physical exam, or a patient's medical history. The affected joint may also be removed of fluids in order to identify whether bacteria, acids, or crystals are causing the infection.
To help with the pain caused by gout, medications may be given. However, a change in lifestyle is required for this condition to be controlled. Medical experts often advise their patients to drink plenty of water. Sugary drinks and alcohol should be avoided, as well as foods rich in purine.
The key to controlling gout is to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Patients are encouraged to lose weight, exercise regularly, and avoid foods high in purine. And to avoid repeated gout attacks, a healthy diet must be maintained.
