What Is Gout, and Why Is it on the Rise?

Kyle Edmondson experienced excruciating pain in his foot one morning about 13 years ago after an evening out with friends. The pain made walking nearly impossible. Initially, his doctor, assuming an injury, advised rest. Although the pain eventually subsided, it returned sporadically, about twice yearly. Sometimes, the pain was so intense that Mr. Edmondson resorted to crutches and construction boots, as even the slightest touch was unbearable.

"It kind of makes you want to cut your foot off," Mr. Edmondson said, describing the feeling as if "all your joints are full of broken glass."

After enduring recurring flare-ups for approximately five years, Mr. Edmondson consulted a different doctor, who correctly diagnosed him with gout.

Globally, gout's prevalence has increased by over 20 percent since 1990. This rise parallels increases in other chronic diseases, such as obesity, which can exacerbate gout. In the United States, over 12 million individuals are affected by this condition. Men are up to four times more likely to develop gout than women, potentially because higher estrogen levels in women offer some protection.

Despite its widespread occurrence, gout, historically known as the "disease of kings," still faces stigmas, often wrongly associated with excessive eating or drinking. Furthermore, medical professionals often prioritize dietary adjustments, which provide limited relief, over effective long-term treatments. Shockingly, only about a third of gout sufferers receive appropriate medication, and even among those, many receive dosages too low to provide adequate relief.