The research team of St Vincent’s Clinical School and The University of New South Wales (UNSW) led by Professor Richard Day is finding ways to optimise management of gout and improve the quality of life in people who have experienced episodes of gout.
According to Professor Day, Gout is a form of arthritis affecting people with high levels of uric acid in the blood. The uric acid can form needle-like crystals in a joint, and the joint can suddenly become very painful, red, hot and swollen. These episodes of excruciating pain and swelling are called gout attacks.
The uric acid can form needle-like crystals in a joint, and the joint can suddenly become very painful, red, hot and swollen. Source: Getty images
How to identify if it is gout and not other forms of arthritis
Mr Day says it is most probably gout if one has a history of high uric acid in the blood and a red, hot and very painful joint, typically at the base of the big toe or in other parts.
"It's an incredibly painful condition commonly felt at the base of the big toe or it can be in other places [of the foot] as well."
"To be sure about the diagnosis, you need to get fluid out of a joint, look at it under a microscope, and there's a special form of lens that tells us absolutely that this is caused by uric acid crystals which have formed and which are irritating the joint greatly," he adds.
Why do people have high uric acid in their blood?
Professor Day says a high uric acid is normally caused by genetic and lifestyle factors, such as diet, alcohol and smoking habits.
"Some people may have high uric acid in their blood, but may not have a gout attack. Drinking alcohol, eating seafood or not drinking enough water, may trigger a gout attack."
He adds people with high uric acid levels persisting for a long time can have gout attacks repeatedly over time if their uric acid level is not kept at or below the normal level, and even if there is no attack, long-term gout can damage joints and kidneys if left untreated.
Drinking alcohol, smoking, eating too much seafood or oily food and not drinking enough water may trigger a gout attack. Source: Getty/SBS Filipino
Gout is a common health problem
Mr Day says a conservative estimate shows that 1 in 60 adults who visited a GP were diagnosed with gout.
He adds that gout mostly affects men particularly the older men, but it can also afflict younger men. While women past menopause are also prone to gout.
"The numbers are quite surprisingly high, we think somewhere between 300,000 and half a million of our fellow citizens and it's mainly men."
Treatment and Prevention of Gout
Professor Day says that out of all the the arthritis, gout is one form that can be prevented and treated if properly managed.
Effective and relatively safe medications are available to lower the uric acid level
Uric acid will stay at or below the target level and gout can be controlled if medications are taken at the right dose every day.
Source: Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash
Develop lifelong healthful eating habits
A diet that helps reduce the levels of uric acid in the body is essential and can prevent any damage caused to the joints. Maintain a healthy weight and start exercising.
Does eating superfoods keep us more active and healthy than other foods? Source: Getty Images
GPs should educate and support patients in self-managing their gout so patients will adhere to treatment.
Visit your GP regularly for routine gout check-ups and blood tests.
Health check-ups are important to identify potential risk factors. Source: Getty Images
Gout Study App
Professor Day says over the last 30 years they have been very much focused on trying to understand gout treatments and how to optimise their effect. But to make a difference on a large scale, it was time to get their research out in the community.
"We are very excited about this app, as it is a new way of helping people with gout. It is a personalised addition to the treatment to help them manage their gout."
"The app was designed in collaboration with GPs and people having gout, and has been successfully tested in a pilot study. Its effectiveness will now be tested in a large clinical research study," he adds.
If you have had a gout attack in the last 12 months, and have a smartphone or an iPad or any other tablet device, sign up in the gout study.
To find out whether you are eligible, go to My Gout App.com and express your interest by clicking and filling out a short screening survey or call 1800 931 544 for more information.
