Types of Gout

Idiopathic Gout

• In most cases of gout the cause is inbuilt and is not a direct result of eating or drinking the wrong things, (although diet is a factor in all types of gout). If no other cause can be identified then it is called idiopathic gout.
• There is often a family history; about 20% of people with idiopathic gout have relatives with hyperuricaemia or gout. The inherited problem may be over-production or reduced excretion of uric acid via the kidneys.

Secondary Gout

• Some medical conditions, especially those causing affecting the blood, and treatment with some cancer drugs can cause higher levels of uric acid to occur.
• Kidney failure can lead to high uric acid levels as can the use of diuretics (water tablets)
• Although not a direct cause of gout, dietary factors play a part in the disease.
• Certain food products are high in uric acid (e.g. offal, meat extracts and fish roe), and alcohol causes uric acid levels to rise by reducing the excretion rate via the kidneys. Eating or drinking too much of these may help ‘tip the balance’ and cause uric acid levels to become too high.