Gout:
Information for adults

Gout can affect people of all races, of all ages, and of either sex. However, certain races of people are more likely to develop gout, including Pacific Islanders, the Maori of New Zealand, and African Americans (but not black Africans). Gout is uncommon in children and young adults. In addition, men are far more likely to have gout than women, who rarely develop this disorder, especially prior to menopause.

Some individuals with gout have a genetic predisposition due to a disorder of purine metabolism. In these individuals, attacks of gout can be triggered by eating foods high in purines or by consuming high levels of alcohol.

Other people have secondary gout, in which gout develops in the context of another medical condition. These other conditions include:

• Obesity
• Diseases of the blood, including leukemia, polycythemia, and hemolytic anemia
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Kidney disorders
• Certain medications such as diuretics ("water pills"), salicylates (aspirin), or niacin (vitamin B-3) 
• Chronic lead exposure