One in seven people living in Polynesia are affected by gout.
- Gout corresponds to a deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints, which triggers joint inflammations that are very difficult to endure.
- One in seven people living in Polynesia are affected by gout, which is the highest frequency in the world.
- “Our study highlights the primarily genetic cause of the disease,” summarizes Professor Tristan Pascart, head of the rheumatology department at GHICL.
For many years, the rheumatology department of the Group of hospitals of the Catholic Institute of Lille (GHICL) conducts important research on gout.
“Through this international expertise, the GHICL publishes the results of two studies which reveal the major frequency of gout in French Polynesia”, can we read in a press release written by the establishment.
French Polynesia has the highest global incidence of gout
The investigation was carried out by seven nurses, the majority of whom came from GHICL. They met with more than 1,000 patients during a one-hour appointment to assess their health. Caregivers then noted that no less than one in seven people living in Polynesian territory are affected by gout, which constitutes the highest frequency in the world.
Despite the impressive incidence of the disease in French Polynesia, it is not well managed: only one in three patients living in this country is treated.
Gout corresponds to a deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints, which triggers joint inflammations that are very difficult to endure. It is the most common inflammatory rheumatism in the world, including in France.
French Polynesia: what are the causes of gout?
Gout can affect the entire population, regardless of age. Generally, patients are in a context of comorbidities and carry diabetes, obesity or cardiovascular pathologies (the risk of which is multiplied by six).
“For a large majority of the population, gout is a self-inflicted disease caused by alcohol addiction or poor diet,” specifies the GHICL. “However, today, scientific research tends to prove that there is above all a genetic factor which could be responsible” continues the research center.
“Our study highlights the primarily genetic cause of the disease, and shows the absence of a link with alcohol consumption or eating habits. Our study also made it possible to discover a new potential gene responsible for gout which will, we hope, allow the development of new drugs to control inflammation. sums it up Pr. Tristan Pascart, head of the rheumatology department at GHICL and head of the study.
“The survey today allows us to affirm that the weight of genetics is much stronger than the weight of diet in the appearance of gout in an individual. Moreover, dietary solutions have very little impact on the evolution of gout and its treatment”, he adds.
Gout in French Polynesia: “we must not make the sick feel guilty”
“This genetic predisposition shows that gout deserves to be treated like any other disease, without blaming the patients who are not responsible for its occurrence” concludes the specialist.