Gout association with kidney disease

Gout is commonly viewed as a painful arthritis; however, its association
with kidney disease deserves much more attention than it currently
receives.Research has shown that the association between gout and hyperuricemia and
chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common.Because CKD can be relatively
silent, only approximately half of patients with gout report reduced kidney
function (CKD stage 3 and higher).2 In patients presenting with CKD stage 3
and higher, approximately one-quarter to one-thirds of patients have gout,
and 50% to 60% have hyperuricemia.
Gout and kidney disease appear to have a very strong
interrelationship, and there are strong experimental evidence suggesting
uric acid may have a role in kidney disease. Large clinical trials excluded
patients with gout and included patients with normal serum uric acid
levels, the group least at risk.
Richard J. Johnson, is a board member of the Gout Education Society
and professor of medicine at the University of Colorado in Aurora,
Colorado. Dr Johnson declared affiliations that individuals with high serum
uric acid who show signs of inflammation may also represent another group
at risk.