Gout Risk Factors

Gout Risk Factors:

What is a risk factor for gout? A risk factor increases your chances of developing gout but it is not certain that you will develop the disease. A risk factor is not a direct cause of the disease but the risk factors are associated in some way with developing gout.

Gout Risk Factor Quiz

Overweight Or Obesity:

Being overweight is a risk factor for developing gout. Being overweight can lead to excess uric acid production.

What Makes People With Arthritis Overweight?

Eating Purine-Rich Foods:

Eating purine-rich foods as part of your regular diet can be a risk factor for developing gout.

Gout Diet: Foods To Avoid

Avoiding Purine-Rich Foods

Excessive Alcohol Intake:

Heavy or even moderate alcohol intake can lead to hyperuricemia.

What Is Hyperuricemia?

High Blood Pressure:

High blood pressure or hypertension may increase the risk for developing gout.

High Blood Pressure

Lead Poisoning:

Lead poisoning can increase the risk of developing gout and is considered a risk factor.

Lead Poisoning

Family History - Gender - Age:

Family history or genetics are risk factors for developing gout. Up to 18% of people with gout have a family history associated with gout. More men than women have gout. Women generally do not develop gout until they are postmenopausal. Adults develop gout more frequently than children.

Women And Men With Gout Share Certain Risk Factors

Abnormal Kidney Function:

Abnormal kidney function, resulting in low urine output, can increase the risk of developing gout.

Kidney Function Tests

Certain Medications:

Certain medications can lead to hyperuricemia. Some of the drugs which increase the risk of developing gout include:

thiazide diuretics

low-dose aspirin and salicylates

cyclosporine

Niacin

Levodopa

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Medications to treat tuberculosis

Certain Medical Conditions:

Having certain medical conditions may increase the risk of developing gout. Diseases associated with an increased gout risk include:

leukemia

lymphoma

hemoglobin disorders

hypothyroidism

Related Resources

Gout Risk Factor Quiz

Gout Screening Quiz

Gout Quiz - Test Your Knowledge

Gout Diet Quiz

Is It Gout Or Pseudogout?

_{Sources: Risk Factors For Gout, Brigham and Women's Hospital Health Information; Risk Factors for Gouty Arthritis, MedicineNet; Risk Factors For Gout, WrongDiagnosis.com; Gout, Primer On The Rheumatic Diseases, Arthritis Foundation.}