Gout attacks often affect the lower limb joints, invading joints and tendons, limiting joint movement, leading to deformities and functional impairments of the limbs, affecting walking, and over time, can form tophi, causing joint fixation, and even lifelong disability. Therefore, gout has always been considered a joint disease caused by urate crystal deposits.
In fact, persistently high uric acid levels affect more than just the joints. Apart from our brain (central nervous system), uric acid can permeate almost everywhere, and important organs within the body can also be damaged. Hence, if gout is not treated promptly or treatment is prolonged, there can be many complications and hazards.
The Lurking “Kidney Killer”: Damaging the Kidneys
Uric acid crystals deposited in the kidneys form kidney stones, gradually wearing away the delicate kidney tissue, causing severe damage and burden to the kidneys, leading to renal insufficiency. The kidneys are precisely the important organs for uric acid excretion, with about two-thirds of uric acid being eliminated from the body by the kidneys, making kidney function crucial for uric acid excretion!
High uric acid levels damage the kidneys, and conversely, kidney damage impedes uric acid excretion, forming a vicious cycle, ultimately leading to acute and chronic hyperuricemic nephropathy, and even uremia, with unimaginable consequences.
There was a relatively extreme case in clinical practice where an elderly patient with gout who had not received standardized treatment for a long time, did not adopt strict dietary control, and paid no attention to lifestyle and habits, eventually ended up hospitalized due to gout involving the kidneys and cardiovascular system, triggering related diseases. The elderly patient suffered greatly both physically and psychologically, experiencing immense pain and deep regret. Therefore, persistently high uric acid levels pose a great danger to the kidneys, acting as a lurking “kidney killer”.
Increased Risk of Chronic Metabolic Diseases
Gout patients generally have significantly reduced metabolism of sugars and fats, hence they are quite prone to various severe metabolic diseases. As the saying goes, “Misfortune never comes singly,” gout often coexists with diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, etc. These diseases are like “good friends” that are hard to part with, influencing each other, and acting as risk factors for one another.
For example, both gout and diabetes are diseases caused by metabolic abnormalities in the body, and it is very easy for them to coexist in patients. There is a significant correlation between uric acid levels and blood sugar levels; usually, those with higher uric acid levels may also have higher blood sugar levels. When these diseases coexist in the human body, they “collude” to affect various normal physiological functions of the body, further exacerbating chronic metabolic diseases.
Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases
Most gout patients are obese, making their cardiovascular system prone to atherosclerosis, leading to insufficient blood supply to the heart and poor blood circulation, especially among gout patients who already have hyperlipidemia, who are more prone to heart disease. There is a close relationship between gout and the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.
Research reports that for every 60μmol/L increase in blood uric acid, the risk of coronary heart disease increases by 48%, and a blood uric acid level >420μmol/L is an independent risk factor for diseases such as coronary heart disease and stroke. It is evident that gout significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Now everyone understands that although the clinical symptoms of gout are mostly manifested in joint inflammation and pain, in reality, gout comes with great hazards, not just the unbearable joint pain during an attack. It is a systemic disease that can cause multi-organ damage and even be life-threatening.
According to reports, the life expectancy of gout patients is generally 10-20 years less than that of normal people. Therefore, friends who are prone to gout must be cautious of the onset of the disease and constantly remind themselves to take early prevention seriously.