Gout Information

Who Gets Gout?

Gout occurs in adults of both sexes, but is thought to be at least ten times more common in men than in women. Levels of a chemical called uric acid (urate) tend to increase in men at puberty, and because it takes at least 20 years of raised levels to cause the symptoms of gout, men commonly develop it in their late thirties and through their forties. Women typically develop gout in later life, often in their sixties and seventies. According to some experts, oestrogen - the 'female' hormone - protects against raised levels of uric acid, and when oestrogen levels fall during menopause, levels of uric acid begin to build up.

A recent survey by market analysts Taylor Nelson Sofres found that three per cent of adults questioned had experienced gout.

What causes gout?

Gout is usually linked to raised levels of uric acid (urate) in the blood. Everyone has some uric acid. However, it is generally harmless and eliminated with the urine. It is only when levels are higher than normal that problems can occur.

What is uric acid (urate)?

Uric acid is a type of metabolic waste that cannot be broken down within the body. It is formed in the