GGG – Gout Group Gothenburg
Short description
Gout is the most common inflammatory joint disease in the world as well as in Sweden, approximately 1,8 percent of the adult population of Sweden have gout. It leads to recurrent episodes of pronounced inflammation and joint pain. These are caused by an immunological reaction to urate crystals. These are formed due to increased levels of urate in the blood, hyperuricemia. Gout is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease, the metabolic syndrome and kidney disease. Urate lowering, curative, treatment is available since many years but it is suboptimally used in Sweden as well as in the world.
The epidemiological gout research we perform aim to fill knowledge gaps of risk factors, consequences and management of gout and hyperuricemia. Below are a few examples of current research questions:
- Does gout increase the risk for myocardial infarction / acute coronary syndrome?
- Do gout and hyperuricemia protect against development of dementia and Parkinson?
- Is air pollution a risk factor for developing gout?
- Why is mortality increased in patients with gout?
- How are individuals with gout doing, how do they experience their disease?
We perform our research through regional and national registries but also via questionnaires and cohort studies.
