Australians with our most misunderstood arthritis – GOUT- receive resources in time for holidays!

[Sydney, Australia] – Arthritis Australia is launching a first-of-its-kind comprehensive information resource hub for Australians living with Gout – our most common, but misunderstood form of inflammatory arthritis.

Gout, also known as ‘crystal arthritis’ or ‘gouty arthritis’, is a chronic inflammatory joint condition affecting approximately 1 in 15 Australians.¹ While commonly misunderstood as a condition linked solely to overindulgence in rich foods and alcohol, gout is primarily driven by genetic factors.

Unfortunately, many traditional Christmas foods – including rich meats, seafood, and alcohol – can trigger gout flares, making the festive season a particularly stressful and challenging time for those living with the condition.

Funded by the Australian Government, and developed together with the Quality Use of Medicines Alliance, the new gout resource hub is designed to improve treatment and management outcomes and challenge widespread misconceptions and myths about this often-misunderstood condition. It also addresses the increasing prevalence of gout and its associated health and economic burden.

While it can affect anyone, gout is typically more prevalent in men and older adults.¹ Women are more prone to developing the condition following menopause.¹ Certain ethnic groups are also disproportionately affected.¹

Despite its prevalence, gout remains significantly undertreated, leading to unnecessary pain, disability, and impaired quality of life.^1,2 Gout-related hospitalisations, readmissions, and emergency department visits also place a substantial economic burden on Australia’s healthcare system.^1,2,3 An estimated $230.8 million was spent on the treatment and management of gout in 2020-21.^2,3,4

“Christmas can be particularly challenging for people with gout,” said Jonathan Smithers, Chief Executive Officer, Arthritis Australia. “Misconceptions about the condition and its triggers often lead to anxiety around festive meals. This new resource hub provides practical advice to help individuals enjoy the season without compromising their health.”

Gout in Australia: Myths vs. Reality
Recent research underscores the critical need to dispel misconceptions about gout, which is often stigmatised as a self-inflicted condition. Key findings include:
• 71% of respondents believed alcohol was a primary cause, while 74% linked it to rich foods like red meat and seafood.
• Only 48% were aware of the genetic and hereditary factors contributing to gout.
• While 56% recognised gout’s potential to cause joint damage, fewer understood its links to kidney impairment (49%) and cardiovascular disease (24%).

“Gout is not just about diet and lifestyle. It’s a chronic condition that can be well managed by monitoring uric acid levels and taking urate-lowering medicines. However, many people with gout aren’t currently being treated properly, and this can lead to debilitating joint damage as well as higher risk of kidney and cardiovascular disease,” said Dr David Liew, Medical Director of Arthritis Australia.

“For many, misconceptions and stigma lead to delayed treatment or a reluctance to take medicine. This resource is designed to empower individuals with gout and help support better self-management and shared decision making, and improve long-term health outcomes,” Dr Liew added.

Empowering Patients and Communities
The new resource hub aims to address these challenges head-on by offering:
• Educational materials to improve understanding of gout as a chronic condition.
• Engaging videos providing expert guidance and advice from leading health professionals, along with personal stories from people living with gout, designed to empower other consumers to seek advice and treatment for their condition.

“By equipping Australians with the knowledge to manage their gout effectively, we hope to take the stress out of Christmas and beyond – and help empower individuals to enjoy the holidays while also prioritising their health,” added Mr Smithers.

Visit the resource hub here: https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/types-of-arthritis/gout/

About Arthritis Australia
Arthritis Australia is the peak national body for arthritis, advocating on behalf of over 4 million Australians living with arthritis, and working with many other arthritis organisations to deliver information and support to people living with more than 100 types of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. We are a leading non-government funder of arthritis research in Australia and advocate for policies, programs and funding initiatives that will improve the health and wellbeing of people living with arthritis. For more information visit: arthritisaustralia.com.au

About the Research
The research was conducted by Arthritis Australia and the Quality Use of Medicines Alliance from June to September 2024 – via an online survey of over 100 people living with gout or caring for someone living with gout.