A research team analyzed a massive genetic dataset encompassing 2.6 million people, including over 120,000 with gout. By comparing genetic codes, the scientists identified 377 regions in DNA associated with an increased risk of developing gout, 149 of which were previously unknown.
Professor Tony Merriman, an epidemiologist from the University of Otago in New Zealand, described the findings, saying: "Gout is a chronic disease with a strong genetic basis, and it is not the fault of the person affected. We need to dispel the myth that it is solely caused by diet or lifestyle."
Gout occurs when uric acid levels in the blood become high, forming sharp crystals in the joints that cause severe pain when the immune system attacks them. Research has shown that genes influence every stage of this process, particularly how the immune system responds and how uric acid is transported in the body.
Despite the availability of effective treatments, researchers warn that the social stigma associated with the disease prevents many sufferers from seeking appropriate treatment.
Merriman emphasized: "These misconceptions cause shame, which makes some people suffer in silence instead of getting preventative medications that can prevent pain."
The research team hopes that these discoveries will lead to the development of new and more effective treatments, noting that some existing drugs may be reusable for treating gout.
The study, published in the journal Nature Genetics, represents an important step in understanding a disease that humanity has suffered from for centuries, and opens new horizons for improving the lives of millions of people affected by it around the world.
