The Link between Gout and Kidney Disease

Gout occurs when uric acid builds up and forms urate crystals that settle in your joints, causing inflammation and pain.

Some reasons for high levels of uric acid include:

• Diet. Your body produces uric acid to break down purines, which are found in red meat, beverages sweetened with fruit sugar, alcohol, and some seafood including anchovies, sardines, mussels, scallops, trout, and tuna. 
• Weight. If you are overweight, your body may produce more uric acid than it needs.  
• Medications. Certain medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure, can increase the uric acid in your body. Talk to your doctor before taking over-the-counter medications and supplements.

The symptoms of gout usually come on suddenly and most often at night. These symptoms include:

• Severe joint pain. Although gout can affect any joint, it commonly occurs in the big toe, ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and fingers.
• Inflammation and redness. When the crystals settle in a joint, that joint becomes red, swollen, and tender.
• Limited range of motion. As the crystals form around your joints, you may not be able to move your joints properly, or they may feel stiff.

Some people may experience symptoms of gout once. Others may have symptoms several times per year. Monitor how you’re feeling and check in with your doctor if you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, especially if they are becoming more frequent or severe.

Kidney disease can lead to a high level of uric acid in your blood, so it is commonly associated with gout. When living with kidney disease, your kidneys aren’t able to properly filter waste products, including uric acid, from your blood.² This allows uric acid to build up, which may cause an attack of gout.

Recent studies have found that compared with people who do not have gout, people with gout are:

• 29 percent more likely to suffer from advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD).³
• 200 percent more likely to have kidney failure.³

Gout can be a warning sign for CKD or may mean you’re at a higher risk for kidney disease. If you’re experiencing symptoms of gout, talk to your doctor to determine the root cause and if kidney disease treatments are necessary. Fortunately, if you are living with gout and kidney disease, you can make lifestyle changes to help prevent symptoms.

These lifestyle changes may help reduce the severity and frequency of attacks to prevent long-term health issues

• Eat a healthy diet. Following a healthy diet that includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products can decrease the frequency of gout attacks. Reduce your intake of alcohol, red meat, and high-purine foods.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise can help maintain a healthy weight. It also reduces the amount of uric acid your body produces.
• Ask about medications. If diet and exercise aren’t enough to reduce symptoms of gout, talk to your doctor about medications that may be available to you.

Taking steps to slow the progression of kidney disease can help reduce the risk of other health issues. The below tips aim to protect your kidney function to help prevent future attacks of gout or lessen their severity. Make sure to talk to your doctor to develop a treatment plan that is best for you.

• Follow a healthy kidney-friendly diet. Reducing your sodium and protein intake can help you feel your best while maintaining a healthy weight. However, this doesn’t mean you need to give up all the foods and drinks you love. Check out these kidney-friendly recipes for inspiration.
• Take your medications as prescribed. Certain medications used to treat gout are not safe for your kidneys. Make sure to talk to your doctor about what medications to take and how frequently.
• Monitor your weight. Obesity is a risk factor for gout. When coupled with kidney disease, it may increase your chances of having gout. Work with your care team to develop a plan for reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. Your care team can also help you monitor your weight and keep track of any changes.
• Maintain a healthy blood pressure. Lowering your blood pressure is important for protecting your kidneys and overall health. Your doctor can help you create a treatment plan to take control of your blood pressure.
• Maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Frequent or ongoing high blood sugar can cause damage to your nerves, blood vessels, and kidneys. To help reduce the risk of an attack of gout, it is important to keep your blood sugar levels balanced.

Treating and preventing gout is important to protect your overall health and ensure you feel your best. If you have symptoms of gout, talk to your doctor. It may be a warning sign of CKD. Your doctor and care team can help you determine what lifestyle changes you may need to adopt and what treatment plan is best for you. If you’ve already been diagnosed with CKD, or are just looking to learn more, take our free class to learn how to best manage your health and live well with kidney disease.