Gout acid is often associated with excessive consumption of certain drinks or unhealthy eating patterns. However, a recent study revealed that genetic factors have played a major role in the development of this joint inflammation condition than previously thought.
This large-scale research was conducted by a team of international scientists who analyzed the genetic data of 2.6 million people in 13 different DNA data groups. Of these, 120,295 people are known to have gout.
By comparing the genetics of gout sufferers and those without genetic factors. The team found 377 specific DNAs that have a distinctive variety related to this condition. Of which 149 have never been associated with gout before.
Although lifestyle and environmental factors still play a role, these findings show that genetics play a major role in determining whether a person is at risk of developing gout. Researchers believe that there are still many other genetic links that have not been found.
“Vehicle acid is a chronic disease that has a genetic basis and is not the fault of the sufferer, the myth that gout is caused by a lifestyle or diet must be straightened out,” said epidemiologist Tony Merriman of the University of Otago, New Zealand, when the study was published last year, quoted from the Science Alert page on Saturday, May 24.
Gout occurs when the level of gout in the blood is too high, thus forming sharp crystals at the joints. When the body’s immune system begins to attack these crystals, significant pain and inflammation appear.
Researchers state that genetics affects every stage of the process, especially in terms of how the immune system responds to the crystal, as well as how gout is processed and transported in the body.
Gout can come and go, but there are various treatments available and the authors of this study are worried that a misunderstanding about the cause of gout makes many people reluctant to seek treatment. This is a real problem, as the number of cases continues to rise.
These widely spread mitos cause shame in people with gout. This makes some people choose to suffer in silence and not see a doctor to get a preventive drug that can lower blood levels and prevent their pain,” Merriman said.
In addition to providing a better understanding of the causes of gout, this study also opens more options for researchers in developing treatment, especially those that focus on immune response to accretion of gout. In fact, some existing drugs can be reused for this purpose.
Even so, this study has some limitations, the majority of the data comes from people of European descent, and some gout diagnosis is based solely on personal reports, not clinical diagnosis. However, this study still provides valuable insight into the health problems that have existed for centuries.
“We hope that over time, better and more accessible treatment can be developed from the new targets we have found,” said Merriman.
“Vehicles deserve a greater allocation of health funds and higher priorities in the health care system”, he continued.
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