Gout is the most common cause of inflammatory arthritis, affecting approximately 3.9% of the United States population. Despite widespread awareness that gout is a chronic disease, significant misunderstanding remains about how it should be treated and how serious it can become, according to new research commissioned by the Gout Education Society.

The national survey, conducted by Wakefield Research, found a striking disconnect: While 88% of Americans correctly identify gout as a chronic condition, many still hold outdated or incorrect beliefs about its management and long-term risks.

Treatment for Gout Disease

“After 20 years of Gout Awareness Day, we’ve made progress in recognition, but much more work is needed to improve understanding,” said N. Lawrence Edwards, MD, MACP, MACR, chairman of the Gout Education Society. “Gout is highly treatable, yet too many patients are relying on incomplete or incorrect information, which can lead to unnecessary pain, complications and long-term joint damage.”

A persistent knowledge gap

Misconceptions about gout treatment remain widespread:

• 59% of Americans believe gout can be managed without daily medication if diet is controlled
• 55% believe gout only affects the feet and toes
• 41% think patients can stop treatment once symptoms subside

When patients believe gout is temporary or manageable without long-term treatment, they are far less likely to take the steps needed to control the disease.

The hidden toll of gout

The findings reinforce that gout is far more than episodic pain: It has measurable impact on overall well-being:

• 35% of patients report reduced quality of life
• 28% report depression related to gout
• 22% feel isolated
• 20% visited the emergency room in the past year due to symptoms

Overall, 93% of gout sufferers say the disease impacts their lives beyond physical symptoms, and many Americans say they witness missed work and social disruption among those they know with gout.

Missed diagnoses, missed opportunities

The study also points to challenges in diagnosis and care:

• 42% of patients were initially misdiagnosed
• Nearly 1 in 5 waits more than a year for an accurate diagnosis

Management gaps persist after diagnosis:

While 98% of patients report taking action to manage their gout, only 40% know their uric acid levels, a clinical marker. 63% of gout sufferers believe they can avoid daily medication by following a healthy diet.

What is a uric acid test?

This test measures the amount of uric acid in a sample of your blood or urine (pee). Uric acid is a normal waste product that your body makes when it breaks down chemicals called purines. Purines come from your cells when they die. Purines are also found in many foods and beverages.

Most uric acid dissolves in your blood. Your kidneys filter the uric acid out of your blood, and it leaves your body in your urine. If uric acid builds up in your blood, it can form needle-shaped crystals in and around your joints. This condition is called gout.

Low-purine diet

One way to manage gout is to reduce the amount of purines you eat. Doctors often suggest a low-purine diet for people with high levels of uric acid in their blood (hyperuricemia), a condition that can lead to gout. While what you eat can affect how much uric acid your body produces, the effects are small compared to medication.

You should stay away from these types of food:

• Beer and grain liquors (such as vodka and whiskey)
• Red meat such as beef, lamb, mutton, pork, veal, and venison
• Organ meats, such as liver, kidneys, and glandular meats such as the thymus or pancreas (you may hear them called sweetbreads)
• Seafood, especially shellfish such as shrimp, lobster, mussels, anchovies, and sardines
• High-fructose products such as soda and some juices, cereal, ice cream, candy, and fast food
• Game meats such as goose, veal and venison
• Turkey
• Gravy and meat sauces
• Yeast and yeast extract

How to Treat for Gout

It’s a good idea to drink lots of fluids — 8 to 16 cups a day. At least half of what you drink should be water. Your kidneys use water to get rid of uric acid through your pee, and water also keeps your kidneys healthy, which helps ward off gout.

Vitamin C (think orange juice) can also help lower uric acid, but studies also show that the high fructose in orange juice may boost uric acid levels, so drink it in moderation. Caffeinated coffee can cut uric acid, too, if you don’t overdo it.

While a healthy diet can help control how much uric acid is in your system, you may still need medicine to prevent future attacks. Talk with your doctor about all your treatment options.

References:

Burden of gout among different WHO regions https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-61616-z

As Gout Education Society marks 20th anniversary of Gout Awareness Day, research reveals misconceptions, ongoing patient burden. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/as-gout-education-society-marks-20th-anniversary-of-gout-awareness-day-research-reveals-misconceptions-ongoing-patient-burden-302778209.html

Uric Acid Test https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/uric-acid-test/