The United States may have experienced a higher increase in gout prevalence compared with other countries around the world, with a 90.6% rise among male patients and a 47.1% rise among female patients, according to a recent study.

In the study, published in Scientific Reports, investigators from Harvard Medical School and other institutions used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study to analyze trends in the global incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of gout—with specific emphasis on the European Union (EU) 15+ nations.

From 1990 to 2019, the investigators found that the prevalence of gout increased by 21.42% among male patients and 21.06% among female patients. The incidence rates rose by 16.87% among male patients and 18.75% among female patients, with DALYs increasing by 21.49% and 20.66%, respectively.

Among the EU15+ countries, the United States had the most substantial increases. Incidence rates rose by 63.73% among male patients and 39.11% among female patients, while DALYs increased by 90.43% among male patients and 42.75% among female patients.

Beyond the United States, Australia and Canada also saw notable rises in gout prevalence: 45.9% among Australian male patients and 31.8% among female patients, and 30.3% among Canadian male patients and 22.5% among female patients. In Australia, incidence rates climbed by 31.9% among male patients and 22.5% among female patients, while Canada experienced increases of 22.75% and 18.9% among male and female patients, respectively. DALYs for gout in Australia increased by 46.2% among male patients and 31.1% among female patients, and in Canada, by a respective 30.2% and 22.3%.

Italy, the United Kingdom, and France had the smallest increases in gout prevalence among male patients, with rises of 6.6%, 9.54%, and 10.3%, respectively. Sweden was the only country where a decrease in gout prevalence was observed among male patients, showing a decline of 5.72%.

The investigators noted increases in gout prevalence, incidence, and DALYs, and further discussed the association of gout with conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease.

The authors reported no potential conflicts of interest.