DIURETICS and ALCOHOL trigger GOUT ATTACKS

Gout, a form of arthritis, causes sharp pain and redness in a joint—often a big toe—due to the buildup of uric acid crystals there. Two recent studies have extended our understanding of what triggers gout. In one, people who had experienced at least one gout attack were asked to report future attacks within 48 hours of their occurrence. Among the 197 people who suffered at least one attack during the study, 56 had taken some form of diuretic. (Diuretics are often prescribed to help control high blood pressure.) The risk of a gout attack was 3½ times higher among people taking these drugs (primarily the older, thiazide diuretics). The researchers suggest that an alternative medication be used for gout sufferers with hypertension. Another study confirmed that alcohol consumption can trigger gout attacks. The risk was 10% higher among people who had had 1 or 2 drinks within the preceding 48 hours. The risk doubled with 5 to 6 drinks, and was 2½ times greater with 7 or more. The type of alcohol consumed didn’t seem to matter.