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Is Gout Linked to Kidney Disease?

Yes, gout is linked to kidney disease.

More Info: A study published in The American Journal of Kidney Disease analyzing the association between gout and kidney disease, concluded that gout and kidney disease shared the same underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

What is Gout?

Hyperuricemia, also known as gout, is a disease caused by excessive levels of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is produced as a result of purine bases which are broken down and converted into uric acid. This is mainly caused by excessive intake seafood, beans, meat that contain high levels of purine. The normal levels of uric acid of an individual should be at 2-7 mg/dl. Gout is characterized by intense pain, swelling, redness and warmth of the joints.

What is Kidney Disease?

Kidney disease is the result of kidney damage which can either be an acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease. Acute kidney injury is the loss of kidney function for several hours or days which can be caused by shock to the kidney from severe infections, obstruction to urine flow or damage caused from taking certain drugs or toxins. Meanwhile, chronic kidney disease is characterized by more than three months of kidney disease.

The Link Between Gout and Kidney Disease

Having chronic gout can develop into more serious diseases as the excess uric acid in your body turns into hard deposits in the tissues and joints. This can cause decreased kidney functions and kidney stones, among other things.

According to one study which examined individuals who were suffering from gout and another group suffering from kidney damage, 8.6% of the patients who suffered kidney disease on two or more occasions also had experience with gout in the past. On the other hand, 13% of the population examined who were suffering from gout also had kidney damage in the past.