Gout is a standard type of inflammatory arthritis that impacts an estimated 9 million individuals in the US, and it’s on the rise — particularly in ladies. However gout remains to be not effectively understood, leaving many individuals at midnight about their dangers and choices.

A survey of 1,000 ladies carried out by HealthyWomen in June 2023 exposes simply how little individuals learn about gout. General, respondents who know somebody with gout had been typically extra doubtless to learn about gout than individuals who don’t know anybody with gout.

Simply 2% of respondents reported having gout themselves, although 43% mentioned they know somebody with gout. Black ladies had been thrice extra doubtless than white ladies to report having gout and considerably extra prone to know somebody with gout than white and Hispanic/Latinx ladies.

One in 10 respondents didn’t know what elements of the physique gout can have an effect on. In reality, gout generally impacts the massive toe and different joints, however it could possibly additionally have an effect on organs such because the kidneys, coronary heart and eyes. Respondents who know somebody with gout had been considerably extra prone to appropriately reply a query about which physique elements may be affected by gout in contrast with individuals who don’t know what gout is.

Not all respondents had been clear on who’s prone to getting gout. Although a majority (62%) appropriately recognized that individuals below 45 can get gout, one-third mentioned they didn’t know — and seven% obtained it mistaken, saying that gout solely impacts older individuals. The reality is that gout can occur even at a younger age, notably for individuals who have persistent kidney illness.

Respondents obtained nearer on gender, with 8 out of 10 appropriately figuring out that, whereas each women and men can get gout, it’s considerably extra widespread in males.

The survey outcomes revealed alternatives for higher schooling in regards to the causes and remedy approaches for gout.

The principle causes of gout embody genetics and hormonal modifications, although food regimen and weight may play a job. Two out of 5 respondents mentioned they imagine that an unhealthy weight or way of life, equivalent to poor food regimen or extreme alcohol consumption, is the primary explanation for gout. About the identical proportion mentioned they don’t know if that’s true or not. Youthful respondents (ages 35 to 44) had been extra doubtless than these ages 45 to 54 to get this query mistaken (45% vs. 34%). Respondents who know somebody with gout had been additionally extra prone to blame weight and way of life than those that don’t know anybody with gout (32% vs. 26%). The widespread assumption that gout is primarily attributable to way of life decisions sadly ends in a stigma related to the illness and a few sufferers blaming themselves for his or her signs.

Gout is attributable to the buildup of uric acid within the blood, which creates tiny, needle-shaped crystals. It’s these crystals that deposit within the joints and different organs, inflicting ache and irritation. However what causes that buildup? The reply is that many issues contribute to uric acid ranges. Practically 1 out of three respondents appropriately recognized that what you eat can increase uric acid ranges, whereas roughly 1 out of 5 recognized genetic causes, which can be right. One in 10 respondents didn’t know what contributes to excessive uric acid ranges within the physique.

Many respondents had been additionally not clear on when gout needs to be handled. Even between gout flares, these dwelling with gout needs to be taking steps to actively handle the situation. Nonetheless, 3 out of 10 respondents mentioned they don’t know if gout must be handled in between flare-ups and 9% incorrectly mentioned that it doesn’t. Although 6 out of 10 respondents appropriately recognized that it’s false to say gout solely must be handled throughout a flare-up, the lack of awareness of when to deal with gout additionally factors to academic alternatives. Individuals who know somebody with gout had been a lot much less prone to say they don’t know that you have to deal with gout in between flare-ups, in contrast with individuals who don’t know anybody with gout (56% vs. 71%).

Fast details about gout

• Gout is a sort of arthritis that causes joint swelling, which might result in extreme ache, redness and soreness within the joints.
• Gout can come on with a flare, usually placing at evening with intense ache.
• A telltale signal of gout is ache in your massive toe, although ladies with gout usually expertise ache in different joints as effectively, such because the fingers or elbows.
• Gout is often identified based mostly on signs and the looks of the joints, however healthcare suppliers might use diagnostic checks equivalent to fluid checks, blood checks, X-rays or ultrasounds.
• Weight-reduction plan, way of life, hormonal components and genetics can all contribute to gout.
• Remedy for gout consists of medicines to scale back the swelling and ache of gout flare-ups and to stop issues from gout by lowering uric acid ranges, the underlying explanation for gout.

This useful resource was created with assist from Horizon Therapeutics.