Managing Gout

Historically, gout indicated elite status in society, with many enduring the agonising pain with pride, believing it symbolised a wealthy lifestyle. Today, the prevalence of gout is increasing worldwide with approximately 1-2% of adults in developed countries burdened with this disorder. The incidence of gout in elderly Australian males is second only to New Zealand. Hyperuricaemia is more prevalent in people of Maori and Pacific Island origin. This makes them more susceptible to gout, with the highest incidence in the world. Research has found the prevalence of gout has increased among Indigenous Australians from no reported cases in 1965 to 9.7% in men and 2.9% in women in 2002. People of Asian descent also have a higher frequency of gout compared to Caucasians