Who is at risk of developing gouty arthritis?
Gout is roughly 9 times more common in men than women and is most common in middle-aged men. It is strongly associated with overweight and high blood pressure. Gout can also occur in women (often after menopause). Maori and Pacific Islanders tend to have high uric acid levels and are predisposed to gout. In Australia, the type of individual most commonly affected by gout is an overweight man who drinks large amounts of alcohol, is a regular meat-eater and who often has high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Risk factors for developing gout Uric acid is a by-product of the breakdown of certain foods in the body, and gout was once considered to be closely related to diet. It is now understood that inheriting it is the most common reason for gout to occur. Certain medications, such as some types of diuretics can also cause gout. Also, certain diseases can also lead to an excessive production of uric acid in the body, including some leukaemias, lymphomas and some haemoglobin disorders.
