Results from a 2009 survey about gout reveal major gaps in the public’s understanding of the condition: •More than 7 in 10 adults (72%) did not know that gout is a form of arthritis. Gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis among adults •More than 4 in 5 adults (83%) did not know that the number of Americans diagnosed with gout is growing compared with 40 years ago. The prevalence of gout has doubled in the United States over the past 30 years •Almost half (49%) of adults were not aware of the potentially crippling effects of gout, such as needing to use a cane or walker, or having to stop working because of limited mobility. In fact, advanced gout leads to the same level of work loss, physical disability, and diminished quality of life that is seen with advanced rheumatoid arthritis
About uric acid
Uric acid is naturally present in small amounts in the body. Gout is caused by an accumulation of sodium urate crystals in the joints that are formed when there is an abnormally high level of uric acid in the body.
Living with gout
Gout is a manageable condition that can be controlled with guidance from your physician and with a basic understanding of what causes and what successfully treats gout.
About us
The Gout & Uric Acid Education Society is a nonprofit group of health care professionals with expertise in rheumatology, nephrology, pharmacy, cardiology and nutrition.
