Gout and diabetes are closely related conditions, although they are medically different. Having one condition raises the risk of developing the other. While the mechanism that causes gout in diabetic patients is well understood, the link between having gout and developing diabetes is less clear, although a 2008 study in Britain showed that after removing all other risk factors, men with gout had an increased risk of developing type II diabetes later in life.
Gout is a joint disease that has been present in human populations for thousands of years. In people with gout, uric acid crystals are retained by the body and accumulate in the joints, particularly the big toe, causing pain and swelling. Diabetes is a general term for a family of related metabolic conditions, also of ancient origin. The condition involved in the link between gout and diabetes is type II diabetes, where the body does not produce enough insulin or does not respond to insulin. While gout and diabetes may not seem related at first glance, the diseases have a long history of interconnectedness.
In patients with type II diabetes, the levels of uric acid in the blood may increase. Because diabetes contributes to poor circulation, uric acid can build up in the extremities and gravitate toward the joints, causing gout. Having diabetes can cause gout if the diabetes is poorly controlled. Diabetes patients who want to avoid gout and other possible complications of diabetes must monitor their blood sugar levels carefully and be aggressive in treating their condition. Regular visits to a diabetes specialist are recommended so that patients can be evaluated for early signs of complications.
Gout and diabetes are also linked in the other direction; having gout appears to put people at higher risk of developing diabetes. The reason for this is not clearly known. It may be due to factors that contribute to gout, such as diet, which are also known to cause diabetes, or due to a link between other metabolic disorders and gout. Gout patients are less likely to develop diabetes if they manage their gout carefully and follow recommended treatment regimens.
Many conditions, such as gout and diabetes, seem unrelated on the surface, but are actually closely related. Investigating these links is important for disease management, diagnosis, and treatment, and understanding how some conditions raise the risk of others can also allow patients to be vigilant for early warning signs.