Impaired lung function linked to higher risk of developing gout

Impaired pulmonary function, including conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and preserved ratio of impaired spirometry (PRISm), is significantly associated with an increased risk of developing gout, according to a study.

The study analyzed data from 420,002 participants in the UK Biobank. After adjusting for covariates, results indicated that both COPD and PRISm were significantly associated with gout. Longitudinal data found that reduced lung capacity increased the risk of developing gout, with a hazard ratio of 1.32.

Mendelian randomization analysis suggested a potential causal relationship between reduced pulmonary function and increased gout risk. The study also found significant interactions between pulmonary function and factors like body mass index, physical activity, and diabetes status to gout risk.

Mediation analysis found that elevated urate levels, C-reactive protein, and immune cell counts, such as monocytes and neutrophils, played a role in mediating the association between impaired pulmonary function and gout risk. These findings suggest that lung impairment may contribute to gout through inflammation and metabolic disruptions.

Reference
Kang Z, Zhang J, Zhu C, et al. Impaired pulmonary function increases the risk of gout: evidence from a large cohort study in the UK Biobank. BMC Med. 2024;22(1):606. doi: 10.1186/s12916-024-03836-8. PMID: 39736738.