Women’s gout risk appears to double after menopause

Gout rates are higher in men and women throughout most of life, but by the time women reach 80 years old, the incidence is equal, Dr Jeff Peterson recently reported at a conference.

“As women get older, the incidence of gout goes up,” he says. “By the time you are post-menopausal, the risk is two times”.

There is a lack of research in this area; Dr Peterson found a small study in South Korea on which to base his figures. As the data is so sparse, many healthcare professionals fail to diagnose gout in older women. For example, physical manifestations of gout in the hands and feet can resemble other types of arthritis.

“I scoured the planet to find information on this, and there is not much,” Dr Peterson said.

The take-home message is that women who have been through menopause and have symptoms of gout should highlight gout as a potential diagnosis with their healthcare professional.

Gout symptoms*

• Severe pain in one or more joints
• The joint feeling hot and very tender
• Swelling in and around the affected joint
• Red, shiny skin over the affected joint

*Source NHS Inform

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