Gout incidence higher in men than women

According to a study at Boston University School of Medicine women with serum uric acid levels over 5 mg/dl had a significantly lower risk of developing gout than men.

This study also evaluated purported risk factors for gout and found that increasing age, obesity, hypertension, alcohol use, and diuretic use to be among leading contributor factors.

This study is the first to examine the relationship between uric acid levels and gout risk in women. The results of this 52-year follow-up study are published in the April issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.