Epidemiology

Estimates of the prevalence and incidence of gout vary widely depending on the population studied and methods used. Globally reported prevalence ranges from <1% to 6.8%, and incidence ranges from 0.58 to 2.89 per 1000 person-years.[1] There are an estimated 41.2 million prevalent cases of gout worldwide, with 7.4 million incident cases per year. Incidence increased by 7.2%, and prevalence by 5.5%, between 1990 and 2017. The largest increases in prevalence were seen in the US, Canada and Oman.[2] 

Gout is more prevalent in men than women, and increases with age for both groups.[2]

Prevalence varies geographically and racially, with the highest rates reported in Pacific countries, Australia and the US in 2017.[2] An estimated 9.3% to 13.9% of Maori men and 14.9% of Pacific island men suffer from severe gout.[3][4] 

The prevalence of gout among US adults in 2016 was 3.9% (9.2 million people), of which 5.2% were male and 2.7% were female.[5] The annual incidence of gout in the US in people over 50 years of age has been estimated at 1.6 per 1000 in men and 0.3 per 1000 in women.[6]

Data from primary care practices in the UK was used to estimate the prevalence (2.49%) and incidence (1.77 per 1000 person-years) of gout in 2012.[7] When compared with incidence and prevalence rates from 1997, an increase of 63.9% in prevalence, and 29.6% in incidence was seen.[7]

Gout is rare in premenopausal women.[8]

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