Uric acid is a byproduct of the metabolism of substances called purines, which are found in every cell. An excess of uric acid can occur due to overproduction or inadequate excretion of the substance. The causes of this overproduction or under-excretion are difficult to pinpoint, as doctors do not fully understand the mechanisms involved. A comprehension of the causes of high uric aid levels can be cultivated by understanding the association between gout and certain known risk factors.
Pre-existing Conditions
The occurrence of certain pre-existing medical conditions can increase a patient's chances of experiencing high uric acid levels. Body weight and uric acid levels are linked in such a way that obesity can be associated with an increase in uric acid in the blood. Untreated high blood pressure has been associated with gout, though high blood pressure patients with a tendency to develop gout would do well to discuss with a doctor the risks of thiazide diuretics causing gout.
Other cardiovascular diseases associated with gout include high blood cholesterol and triglycerides, a condition known as hyperlipidemia, and hardening of the arteries, or arteriosclerosis. The New York Times Health Guide also cites diabetes, sickle cell anemia and kidney diseases as risk factors for the development of gout.
Alcohol Use
Medical authorities cite the link between increased uric acid levels and alcohol use. MayoClinic.com recommends limiting alcoholic drinks to one or less per day for women, and two or less for men, in order to avoid gout.
A study conducted by Harvard Medical School in 2004 found that beer had the strongest effect on the likelihood of experiencing high uric acid levels and gout. Hard spirits were also associated with occurrences of gout in men, but wine consumption was not found to have a link to gout.
Pharmaceutical Drugs
Certain medications can increase the levels of uric acid in the body, thus increasing the likelihood of gout, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Water pills known as thiazide diuretics are sometime prescribed in the management of high blood pressure, but they have also been linked to gout, especially in older patients. Uric acid levels can also be affected by the consumption of aspirin, due to its ability to reduce the excretion of uric acid. Niacin, pyrazinamide, and anti-rejection drugs used following implant surgery have also been linked to increased uric acid levels.
