It has long been believed that diet is behind the development of gout, often referred to as the “disease of kings,” but a new study has uncovered another primary cause of the condition.
A recent study published in Nature Genetics has found that genetics is one of the main reasons behind gout, a condition that leads to elevated levels of uric acid in the body, causing joint pain.
The study indicates that new research shows genetic factors play a larger role in the development and worsening of gout than previously thought.
Researchers reached these conclusions by collecting genetic data from more than 2.5 million people, including over 120,000 gout patients.
The researchers compared the genetic codes of individuals with gout to those without it, identifying areas in human DNA linked to the condition.
While lifestyle, diet, and environmental factors still play a role, the study suggests that genetic factors are key in determining a person’s likelihood of developing gout.
The study quoted Tony Merriman, an epidemiologist at the University of Otago in New Zealand, who stated, “Gout is a chronic disease with a genetic basis, so we must dispel the myth that it is solely caused by lifestyle or diet.”
Experts noted that identifying genes associated with high uric acid levels in the blood could help identify individuals at risk of developing gout.
Previous studies have warned of the dangers of untreated gout, which can lead to severe joint pain and, in the worst cases, kidney failure, especially when uric acid levels become excessively high.
