Is Gout Common in Malaysia?

Gout is one of the most common inflammatory arthritis in Malaysia.

Although there is no local population-based epidemiologic study in Malaysia. There have been studies from a few tertiary care hospitals that have revealed some information about gout cases in Malaysia.

Epidemiology of Gout in Malaysia

There are no in-depth population-based studies on gout available.

Hospital-based studies from a few tertiary centres reported a peak age of gout onset from 30 to 60 years. Patients were predominantly males with a ratio ranging from 8:1 to 12:1.

Distribution according to ethnicity was dependent on the region where the studies were conducted. Although the majority of the patients were Malays, the Chinese and Indians were also affected.

The epidemiology wise is very similar to the global data.

What is the best doctor to see for gout?

When it comes to gout, there are a few things you need to consider when choosing a doctor.

For starters, you'll want to see a rheumatologist. This type of specialist is specifically trained in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the joints, muscles, and bones. They can help you get your gout under control and figure out what's causing it in the first place.

What can be mistaken for gout?

It's not always easy to be diagnosed with gout. These other diseases can mimic gout and lead to a misdiagnosis.

• Infected joint (septic arthritis): Septic arthritis is a serious infection that can develop in any joint in the body. It is most commonly caused by an infection.

• Pseudogout: The condition is often mistaken for gout, as both conditions share many of the same symptoms. It is caused by the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate (CPP) crystals in and around the joints rather than uric acid in gout.

• Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of autoimmune disease that causes pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the joints.

• Psoriatic arthritis: Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects people who have psoriasis. About 1 in 5 people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis. People with psoriatic arthritis often experience pain and swelling in their joints.

What are the common gout medications used in Malaysia?

There are a few different medications that are commonly prescribed to treat gout in Malaysia.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs help control inflammation and pain in the affected joint. A higher dose may be prescribed by the doctor to stop an acute attack, followed by a lower daily dose to prevent future attacks. NSAIDs are recommended to use for a short period only. Eg : ibuprofen, naproxen and indomethacin.

You may want to take some precautions when taking NSAIDs if you have the below conditions:

• Heartburn and stomach pain

• Ulcers in the stomach

• A tendency to bleed more, particularly on aspirin medication.

• History of allergy to medications. Rashes, wheezing, and throat swelling is examples of allergic reactions.

• Problems with the liver or kidneys. If you have kidney problems, you should not take NSAIDs without first consulting your doctor.

Colchicine

Colchicine is one of the most common medications used to treat gout. It helps to reduce inflammation and pain.

Colchicine is not meant for long-term consumption. You may need to stop taking this medication as soon as the pain is relieved or at the first sign of nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhoea.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are a common medication for gout. Corticosteroids can be taken orally or injected into the joint. Corticosteroids are typically reserved for patients who are unable to take NSAIDs or colchicine.

Because corticosteroids suppress the immune system, it increases the risk of infection. It is not recommended for long-term use as it may be associated with more serious complications.

Uric-acid-lowering medications

This medication has the potential to reduce the amount of uric acid in the blood. Allopurinol is a medication in this category that is commonly used to prevent gout attacks.

Inform your doctor if you noticed sensitive reactions such as skin rash or other allergic reactions (eg, trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of your hands, face, or mouth).

Medications that enhance uric acid removal

Normally, this medication is used when allopurinol is not well tolerated. It enhances the kidney's ability to remove uric acid from the body. e.g. probenecid.

One may need to monitor the kidney functions since it boosts the secretion of uric acid through the urine. Check with your doctor if you find painful or difficult urination; or notice blood in the urine.

Why would someone keep getting gout? Should I be worried?

When you have gout, your blood contains an abnormally high level of uric acid, a substance produced by your body when it digests food. The uric acid crystallises over time and collects around joints.

Long-term consequences of gout can include joint damage, skin nodules of uric acid, kidneys and other organ injury/ damage.

Signs of Gout getting serious

• Patients who have had two or more gout attacks in the last year.

• Have one or more tophi (small lumps forming under the skin).

• Have any gout-related joint or kidney damage.

• Uric acid causes the formation of one or more kidney stones.

Uric acid normal range Malaysia

Gender	Male	Female
Uric acid range	4.0-8.5 mg/dL or 0.24-0.51 mmol/L	2.7-7.3 mg/dL or 0.16-0.43 mmol/L

Can I stop gout permanently?

Patients can never be cured of gout. Here are some suggestions you can do to avoid recurrent gout:

• Get to a healthy weight (without resorting to crash diets).

• Consume a healthy, balanced diet.

• Avoid eating animal organ meat, such as kidneys or liver, as well as seafood.

• Limit your intake of sugary drinks and snacks.

• Limit your intake of fatty foods.

• Stop alcohol or reduce alcohol consumption at least.

• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

• Exercise on a regular basis, but avoid strenuous exercise or putting excessive strain on joints.

• Quit smoking.

• Consider taking a uric acid lowering supplement.

Conclusion

Gout is a common disease in Malaysia that can be controlled through medication, supplements and lifestyle changes. If you are experiencing any symptoms of gout, it is important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Related read:

1. CrystaGuard - A new way to lower uric acid levels without harsh drugs.

2. Uric Acid Supplements in Malaysia: The Best Comparison

3. Is Gout and Osteoarthritis Interrelated?

6 Strange Gout Facts You Probably Didn't Know

A gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and swelling in the joints. The condition is caused by a build-up of uric acid in the blood. Although gout is not a common condition, gout does affect million of the population worldwide. Here are 6 strange facts about gout that you may not know:

1. Gout is More Common in Men:

Gout is more common in men than women. This is likely because the protective effects of estrogen are absent in men. Estrogen appears to decrease uric acid levels and protect the joints from inflammation. Additionally, men are more likely to have high blood pressure and obesity, both of which are risk factors for gout.

2. Eating Red Meat Isn't The Only Thing That Causes Gout:

Foods that are high in purines, like red meat, can increase the risk of gout, but they are not the only cause. Other factors that can increase your risk include obesity, drinking alcohol, and having a family history of gout.

3. Gout Can Affect Anyone at Any Age:

Gout can also occur in young people who have not yet reached adulthood. In fact, gout is becoming increasingly common in young people. This may be due to the trend towards eating more high-purine foods, such as red meat and seafood.

4. Gout Can Cause Serious Health Problems If It's Not Treated:

If you have gout, it's important to get it treated. Left untreated, gout can cause serious health problems. These health problems may include:

-Kidney stones

-Joint damage

-Heart disease

-High blood pressure

5. Some People With Gout Experience No Symptoms At All:

Gout is a type of arthritis that results when uric acid levels in the blood become too high. For many people, gout causes severe pain and swelling in the joints. But for some people, gout can cause no symptoms at all. In fact, up to 50 per cent of people with gout may not experience any symptoms. This is known as asymptomatic gout. However, this doesn't mean that this group of people will not have other health conditions due to constant high uric acid levels.

6. Gout Does Not Only Occur In Big Toe:

Many people believe that gout is most commonly found in the big toe area. It can also affect other joints, including the ankle, knee, and elbow.

Conclusion

In conclusion, here are five strange facts about gout you may not have known. Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by a build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints. It can cause severe pain, inflammation, and swelling. Some people may be more at risk for developing gout than others. There are some things you can do to help reduce your risk of getting gout, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. To manage body uric acid levels for long-term health benefits, you can take supplements like CrystaGuard.

Related read:

1. Is uric acid causing your knee pain?

2. How can a triple herb supplement maintain healthy uric acid levels?

3. Uric Acid Supplements in Malaysia: The Best Comparison

Is Gout and Osteoarthritis Interrelated?

You might think you have osteoarthritis (OA) if your knee is swollen and stiff, but it could also be gout. Both illnesses have a lot in common, just like many near relatives. You might be unsure which one is causing your symptoms because they typically occur jointly together.

OA is a degenerative condition that causes the cartilage that cushions bones to break down over time. It affects joints such as the knees, hips, fingers, lower back, and neck, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Uric acid crystals form in the joints of people who have gout. Gout most commonly affects the big toe joint, however, it can also affect the ankles, knees, hands, and wrists. Gout patients with high uric acid levels may affect other body organs as well.

Knowing which problem you have, or whether you have both gout and osteoarthritis—can assist your doctor in fine-tuning your treatment.

Gout and OA are frequently coexist

People with uric acid deposits in their joints are more likely to get OA in those same joints, according to a study by Duke University Medical Center. Gout patients are also more likely to develop severe OA. According to researchers, uric acid crystals may induce an inflammatory response that causes OA joint degeneration.

On the other hand, those with osteoarthritis can be triggered to acquire gout also. One explanation is that OA causes joint deterioration, which produces an environment that favours the formation of uric acid deposits.

The same inflammatory processes that damage joints could underlie both OA and gout. And the two conditions share a few common risk factors—including obesity. Extra weight both increases the production of uric acid and puts more strain on joints.

How to know whether I have gout or OA?

Despite the fact that gout and OA can affect the same joints at the same time, there are techniques for your doctor to distinguish between the two. Gout is characterised by bouts of pain, swelling, warmth, and redness in a single joint, most commonly the big toe. While OA is more chronic, waxing and waning in nature, it does not begin as abruptly as gout.

If your symptoms don't reveal the source of your joint pain, your doctor can conduct tests to discover if you have excessive uric acid levels in the affected joint.

Treating Gout and OA

Other than relying on medication such as pain killers, treatment for gout and OA relies heavily on lifestyle changes. Restricting high purine foods and weight loss can avoid high uric acid levels and relieve strain on the painful joints.

It is critical for gout patients to keep their uric acid levels under control at all times. Although OA was often thought to be an untreatable disease of passive degeneration, the efficacy of urate-lowering medications or supplements used to treat hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis may be useful in the preventive treatment of OA. Find out the comparison of uric acid supplements available in Malaysia.

Related read:

1. CrystaGuard triple helps formulation maintain healthy uric acid level.

2. Excessive uric acid is linked to kidney damage.

3. Men over 40 with low libido can be due to low testosterone.