A February 13th article from Science Alert claims gout has less to do with lifestyle choices and more with genetics. The Mayo Clinic describes gout as a painful and complex form of arthritis that arises from high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. Often, the symptoms arise overnight and suddenly. Intense joint pain, inflammation and redness, and limited range of motion are all symptoms of gout, and often something as light as a bedsheet on the affected area is unbearable. The Mayo Clinic lists one of the main causes of gout as diet especially increased intake of purine-rich seafoods, alcoholic beverages, and drinks sweetened with fruit sugar. However, the Science Alert article argues against the hypothesis that lifestyle choices are the main cause of gout. Instead, they present research that shows 120,295 people with gout had the same variations at 377 specific DNA regions which are now thought to have a large impact on developing gout. The 377 specific DNA regions identified in the new study include 149 regions that had not previously been linked to gout. The researchers maintain that there are still undiscovered genetic links to the disease that have yet to be discovered. The connection of genes to gout formation allows new research to be done regarding how gout can be treated with genetics as the basis for treatment.
Personally, I can’t wait to tell my dad about this research because he stopped eating shrimp about a decade ago after he developed gout “from the shrimp.” However, this new study demonstrates that he might have had an underlying condition that made him more susceptible to gout and his consumption of shrimp might not have been the reason for his gout flareup. I think this new explanation will hopefully allow more people to get treatment for their chronic gout. The article mentions that some people do not seek out medical help when they experience gout because they are ashamed of their lifestyle choices, but having a genetic explanation for the formation of gout would be out of the patient’s control, so they may be more willing to seek out a doctor’s help. As I mentioned earlier, my dad had a few cases of gout, so knowing that there is a genetic link, now I am curious if I have some of the alleles that increase the risk for gout development.
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