According to researchers out of Great Britain, people with gout in their feet may be at an increased risk for atrial fibrillation (Afib). When looking at a collection of health data from people treated for gout, researchers noted that those treated for the foot condition were much more likely to also have Afib compared to the control group.

For their study, researchers analyzed health data of more than 45,000 people with gout and more than 45,000 people without the condition. When cross-examined for other potential health complications, researchers uncovered:

• 7.42 percent of people with gout also had Afib. Only 2.98 percent of the control population was diagnosed with Afib.

• The prevalence held through across both sexes. For men, the percentages were 6.69 percent compared to 2.49 percent, and for women the percentages were 9.36 percent compared to 3.71 percent.

• In general, gout patients consumed more cigarettes, drank more alcohol and had a higher body mass index than controls.

• Patients with gout were also more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, and valvular heart disease compared to controls.

• Another study revealed that after 5 years from the date of diagnosis, about 12% of gout patients developed Afib compared with only 6% of matched controls.

Lead researcher Dr. Weiya Zhang and colleagues did not know exactly why gout was linked to Afib prevalence, but they have some speculations.

“Currently, there is no explicit explanation for the link between gout and Afib,” said Zhang. “The potential mechanism underlying the increased risk of Afib in gout patients is hyperuricemia. Increasing evidence suggests that uric acid participates in the atrial remodeling process that enhances the risk of Afib.”

Researchers concluded that doctors should keep the study in mind, and older patients who develop gout should also be screened for Afib.

“[The study makes] the case for a clinical cardiovascular assessment and inclusion of an electrocardiogram as a part of the initial assessment of gout patients at diagnosis and close observation … for the occurrence of incident Afib, especially for the elderly and those having other Afib risk factors,” they wrote.

Related source: MedPage Today

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Gout Development and Causes

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that develops in your joints due to high levels of uric acid in your blood. This acid can cause needle-like crystals to form in a joint, typically in the big toe. These crystals then rub against tender areas of the joint, causing inflammation and pain.

A poor diet and alcohol consumption both increase a person’s risk for developing gout, but they aren’t the only causes. Other factors that contribute to the development of gout include:

• Genes
• Related health conditions, like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and elevated cholesterol
• Gender and Age (men and older individuals are at greater risk)
• Elevated sugar intake or excess soda consumption
• Obesity
• Individuals who have undergone bypass surgery

The Stages of Gout

There are a number of different ways gout can affect a person. Pain caused by gout can be chronic or intermittent, and it can come in different stages or forms. Here’s a look at some of the more common stages of gout.

Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia – As you can probably guess if you’re familiar with medical terms, this stage of gout means that a person has high levels of uric acid in their blood, but symptoms have yet to set in. Crystal formation is beginning, but they haven’t developed enough to cause symptoms.

Acute Gout Formation – This occurs when an acute activity causes movement in the joint that has developed uric acid crystals. When this occurs, the activity causes inflammation and pain. This can be caused by physical activity, an unhealthy meal or after a night of drinking. Symptoms usually last for 8-12 hours and generally wear off after a few days. That said, roughly 60 percent of people who suffer a gout attack have another flare up within one year.

Interval/Intermittent Gout – This is the period of time after a gout attack. You’ll still have small uric acid crystals in your joint, but they may be asymptomatic or causing minimal discomfort. More unhealthy choices could trigger another flare up, while smart choices can help resolve crystal formation in the joints.

Chronic Gout – If your uric acid levels remain high over an extended period, you may develop chronic gout. The time between attacks is shorter, and pain and discomfort may never truly resolve. In extreme cases, joint damage can occur, which can lead to limited range of motion or loss of mobility in your toes.

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