Scientists at The University of Nottingham have confirmed that gout strongly runs in families, the Medical Express Website reports.

The findings, published in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, are based on a study of the entire population of Taiwan (23 million), where gout is most prevalent in the world.
 

By examining 4.2 million families with members who have the condition, the scientists found compelling evidence that the disease clusters in families, with increased risks for people with first and second degree relatives suffering from gout.
 

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis, with sudden onset of acute pain, redness and swelling in peripheral joints. It is caused by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals, which is related to high uric acid in the blood. The resulting acute arthritis and lumps around the joint cause disability, pain, and loss of joint function.
 

"Our results confirm the clinical belief that gout strongly clusters within families," said lead researcher Chang Fu Kuo, M.D. "In Taiwan the risk of an individual with any first-degree relative suffering from gout is approximately twice that of the normal population.
 

"The risk increases with the number of the first-degree relatives affected. Having a twin brother with gout carries an 8-fold risk, whereas having a parent or offspring with gout has a 2-fold risk. The study also demonstrates that in addition to the genetic risk, shared environment factors play a substantial role in the etiology of gout. The influences of environmental and genetic factors on the risk of gout are different in men and women. Genetic factors contribute one-third in men and one-fifth in women."