NEW YORK, Feb 13: Gout, a condition often linked to poor lifestyle choices such as excessive drinking or unhealthy eating habits, may actually be more strongly influenced by genetics than previously thought. A recent international study sheds new light on the genetic factors contributing to the development of this painful form of arthritis.

The study, which analyzed genetic data from 2.6 million people across 13 different cohorts, including 120,295 individuals with "prevalent gout," identified 377 distinct DNA regions with variations associated with the condition. Among these, 149 regions had never been linked to gout before. This discovery challenges the long-standing belief that gout is primarily caused by lifestyle and environmental factors, suggesting instead that genetics play a significant role.

Epidemiologist Tony Merriman from the University of Otago in New Zealand, who was involved in the study, emphasized the need to dispel the myth that gout is caused by poor diet or lifestyle choices. "Gout is a chronic disease with a genetic basis and is not the fault of the sufferer – the myth that gout is caused by lifestyle or diet needs to be busted," Merriman said in a statement following the study's publication.

Gout occurs when there are elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, leading to the formation of sharp crystal needles in the joints. When the immune system attacks these crystals, it results in severe pain and discomfort. The study suggests that genetics play a key role in both the likelihood of the immune system attacking the crystals and how uric acid is transported throughout the body.

While lifestyle factors remain important, this research highlights the genetic influence on gout and suggests that more genetic links may still be uncovered. As gout cases continue to rise, many individuals suffer in silence due to the stigma associated with the condition. Merriman explained that the misconceptions about gout often prevent people from seeking medical treatment, which can prevent further pain and discomfort.

"This widespread myth causes shame in people with gout, making some people more likely to suffer in silence and not go and see the doctor to get a preventive drug that lowers urate in the blood and will prevent their pain," he said.

The findings also open the door to new treatment options, particularly in managing the body's immune response to the buildup of uric acid. Existing medications may even be repurposed to address this aspect of the disease. However, the study's limitations include the overrepresentation of individuals of European ancestry and the reliance on self-reported gout data rather than clinical diagnoses.

Despite these limitations, the study provides valuable insight into the causes of gout and could pave the way for improved treatments. "We hope that, in time, better and more accessible treatments will become available with the new targets we identified," said Merriman. "Gout deserves more health spend resources and greater prioritization in the health system."

The research was published in Nature Genetics.