Gout is a standard type of inflammatory arthritis that impacts an estimated 9 million folks in america, and it’s on the rise — particularly in girls. However gout continues to be not nicely understood, leaving many individuals in the dead of night about their dangers and choices.

A survey of 1,000 girls performed by HealthyWomen in June 2023 exposes simply how little folks learn about gout. Total, respondents who know somebody with gout had been typically extra possible to learn about gout than individuals who don’t know anybody with gout.

Simply 2% of respondents reported having gout themselves, although 43% stated they know somebody with gout. Black girls had been 3 times extra possible than white girls to report having gout and considerably extra prone to know somebody with gout than white and Hispanic/Latinx girls.

One in 10 respondents didn’t know what components of the physique gout can have an effect on. In truth, gout generally impacts the large toe and different joints, however it may well 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 accurately reply a query about which physique components 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 liable to getting gout. Although a majority (62%) accurately recognized that individuals beneath 45 can get gout, one-third stated they didn’t know — and seven% acquired it mistaken, saying that gout solely impacts older folks. The reality is that gout can occur even at a younger age, significantly for individuals who have persistent kidney illness.

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

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

The primary causes of gout embody genetics and hormonal modifications, although food regimen and weight may play a job. Two out of 5 respondents stated they consider that an unhealthy weight or way of life, comparable to poor food regimen or extreme alcohol consumption, is the principle explanation for gout. About the identical share stated they don’t know if that’s true or not. Youthful respondents (ages 35 to 44) had been extra possible 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 frequent assumption that gout is primarily attributable to way of life selections 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. Almost 1 out of three respondents accurately recognized that what you eat can increase uric acid ranges, whereas roughly 1 out of 5 recognized genetic causes, which can be appropriate. 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 ought to be handled. Even between gout flares, these dwelling with gout ought to be taking steps to actively handle the situation. Nevertheless, 3 out of 10 respondents stated they don’t know if gout must be handled in between flare-ups and 9% incorrectly stated that it doesn’t. Although 6 out of 10 respondents accurately recognized that it’s false to say gout solely must be handled throughout a flare-up, the lack of know-how 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 it’s essential deal with gout in between flare-ups, in contrast with individuals who don’t know anybody with gout (56% vs. 71%).

Fast information about gout

• Gout is a kind 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, typically putting at night time with intense ache.
• A telltale signal of gout is ache in your huge toe, although girls with gout typically expertise ache in different joints as nicely, such because the fingers or elbows.
• Gout is normally recognized based mostly on signs and the looks of the joints, however healthcare suppliers might use diagnostic checks comparable to fluid checks, blood checks, X-rays or ultrasounds.
• Weight loss plan, way of life, hormonal elements and genetics can all contribute to gout.
• Remedy for gout consists of drugs to scale back the swelling and ache of gout flare-ups and to forestall problems from gout by lowering uric acid ranges, the underlying explanation for gout.

This useful resource was created with help from Horizon Therapeutics.