Battle erupts over how to treat gout, no longer the ‘disease of kings’

There are several medicines to combat gout, which is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood, and more are on the way. But the American College of Physicians, the nation’s largest specialty medical association, this month put out new guidelines that call for less aggressive pharmaceutical treatment. That’s angered many gout specialists, who in recent years have created two new professional groups — both backed by drug companies — one to bolster gout research and the other to promote long-term use of medication to lower uric acid.

 Gout is on the rise – and it’s not just gluttonous sovereigns who get it

Research shows the disease is becoming more prevalent, and laying off the port and venison is no guarantee of immunity

 Gout: A unique and ancient malady

Gout has been recognized as a disease for many centuries, being described in ancient Egyptian texts in 2600 B.C. and later by the famed Greek physician Hippocrates around 400 B.C. It was once known as the “arthritis of the rich,” and the “disease of kings,” given its propensity to occur after consuming rich food and alcohol.

 Gout: An old disease in new perspective – A review

Gout distinguished itself in the history of Homo sapiens since time immemorial. It appeared in medical records very early in the history of medical writing, and was also mentioned in the biographies of many famous names.

 Myths about gout are hampering its treatment

The prevalence of gout is increasing worldwide. It has become the most common cause of inflammatory arthritis in men, and its prevalence in postmenopausal women continues to rise. This increase is due to changes in diet and lifestyle, increased use of certain diuretics and increasing obesity.

Every Man a King: Henry VIII's Worst Affliction Is on the Rise in America

Gout may sound like an 18th-century affliction, but the number of Americans suffering from the painful inflammatory condition has doubled in the past few decades.

Got gout? Here’s what to eat and avoid

You get gout when your metabolism of purine – a chemical component of DNA which is made in the body and found in some food and drinks – gets out of kilter. Purine is broken down in the liver, producing uric acid as a byproduct. Uric acid enters the bloodstream, travels to the kidneys and is excreted in urine. If uric acid can’t be cleared, blood uric acid levels rise.

Check out your Gout

When Jim Belushi's big toe swelled up 15 years ago he attributed it to jogging and let it go. A year later, his toe flared up again.He said the pain was so intense that “you couldn't even rub a Kleenex across it.” A few months later Belushi went in for his annual checkup and mentioned the pain to his doctor who ran some tests and diagnosed him with gout.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints (particularly the big toe). Gout symptoms include warmth, pain, swelling, redness, and extreme tenderness of the affected joints, as well as chills and fever.

When a Vegan Gets Gout

Black beans, spinach, asparagus, raisins, chickpeas and hummus, all heart-healthy stuff I’d been eating for years, had to go.

Why Do I Have Gout?

If one night you wake with the feeling that a big toe has suddenly become a battlefield, and a peek under the covers reveals not This Little Piggy but an angry red monstrosity from some old horror movie, your first thought may be to seek help. You need an M.D., you’ll think. Maybe a CT scan or even an M.R.I.

Why some people are at risk of gout

University of Otago researchers have helped characterise a genetic variant that enables new understanding of why some people are at risk of gout, a painful and debilitating arthritic disease.

8 Common Myths about Gout

Sadly, medical treatment of gout is often hampered by an abundance of false information about the condition.

A Giant Pain in the Wallet

A drug called colchicine is all that keeps some 2 million American gout patients from suffering debilitating pain in their toes, elbows, wrists, and fingers. Doctors have prescribed the compound, derived from the seeds of the autumn crocus, for centuries. But patients who take colchicine woke up with a new symptom recently: a giant pain in the wallet.

From Kings To The Average Joe: Gout Makes A Comeback

An image of gout is easy to conjure up: The portly, elder royal resting his foot on a pillow, with a swollen, red and extremely painful big toe. It could be Henry VIII, who was afflicted with the "disease of kings." But today gout seems to be the disease of the average middle-aged American who's pudgy, consuming too much meat and drinking too much alcohol — not unlike what the royals used to do.

Recent advances in understanding and managing gout

Gout is the most common crystal arthropathy and the leading cause of inflammatory arthritis. It is associated with functional impairment and, for many, a diminished health-related quality of life. Numerous studies have demonstrated the impact of gout and its associated conditions on patient morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, gout remains under-diagnosed and under-treated in the general community.

The agony and assumptions of gout

“If my patients take their medication properly, I don’t put too much emphasis on their eating habits,” he says. “Diet affects only up to 10% of purines, but of course moderation is sensible. As for the benefits of drinking white wine, this is an old wives’ tale.

Why Are Victorian-Era Diseases Making a Comeback in England?

While gout is often associated with excess drinking and eating, health professionals suggest it’s the increasing prevalence of junk food and obesity that is to blame for the resurgence of a disease once more associated with the time of Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901. The report notes that the increase could also be down to an aging population, as age is a well-known risk factor.