Genetic Variation may Raise the Risk of Gout

Gout has long been believed to be caused by unhealthy lifestyles, but now researchers at the MRC Human Genetics Unit, in Edinburgh have found that a gene variant may also raise the risk of this painful joint condition.

The researcher team, led by Professor Alan Wright, analysed more than 12,000 people and said that new gout drugs may one day target the gene, called SLC2A, and the protein it controls.

The susceptibility of Gout can vary from person to person— some people may have higher or lower risk of gout depending on the form of the gene they inherited.

Normally, humans discard uric acid; a waste product found in the blood, through the kidneys and passes it out of the body in urine. But there are some people who face problem in getting rid of it properly and thus it gets build up in the blood, thereby forming crystals in the joints, leading to inflammation, stiffness and pain.

A number of food types have been held responsible owing it to the fact that diets rich in refined sugars, protein and alcohol increase the risk.

However, the researchers observed that while a large number of people have a diet that is likely to increase the risk of gout, there are just a few who actually develop the illness.

By working out the reason behind this, the scientists found that the SLC2A gene variation might make it difficult for the body to remove uric acid from the blood.