Gout, one of the most painful types of arthritis, is often caused by excessive blood levels (above 7 milligrams/deciliter in females and 8 milligrams/deciliter in males) of uric acid (hyperuricemia). But not all people with hyperuricemia will develop gout, and not all people with gout have hyperuricemia. In many cases, the cause of gout is unknown (idiopathic).

Many common conditions are strongly associated with gout, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, kidney disease and dyslipidemia (unhealthy levels of cholesterol and other blood fats). In addition, episodes of acute gouty arthritis can be triggered by a number of factors, including stress, minor trauma, infection, heavy consumption of alcohol and surgery. Research suggests that hot, humid weather and dehydration may also trigger attacks.

Physicians have identified the following risk factors for gout:

• Family history. Some people are born with an enzyme defect that makes it hard for the body to break down purines. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, about 18 percent of gout patients have a family history of the disease.
  
  
• Sex and age. Gout occurs more often in men than in women, mostly because women tend to have lower levels of uric acid than men. However, after menopause, women’s levels of uric acid are similar to those of men.
  
  In addition, men are more likely to develop gout earlier, usually between the ages of 30 and 50. Women who develop gout generally do so after menopause. This may be especially true if women are prescribed certain medications, such as diuretics for high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney disease or other conditions.
  
  
• Excessive consumption of alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol, especially beer, can interfere with the body’s ability to eliminate uric acid, as well as introduce more purines (which break down into uric acid) into the diet. Some research has also linked heavy consumption of sugary soft drinks to increased risk of gout.
  
  
• Excessive consumption of foods rich in purines (e.g., organ meats, meats, seafood). Eating too much of these foods may cause high blood levels of uric acid.
  
  
• Long-term use of certain medications. Many medications have been shown to interfere with the body’s ability to eliminate uric acid, often because they affect kidney function, including diuretics, aspirin, levodopa (a treatment for Parkinson’s disease) and immunuosuppressives, such as those taken after an organ transplant.
  
  In addition, chemotherapy for cancer increases the break down of abnormal cells, releasing large amounts of purines into the body that can cause accumulation of uric acid in the blood.
  
  
• Genetics. Researchers in 2008 identified three genes that together may increase the risk of gout by up to 40 times: SCLA29, ABCG2 and SLC17A3.
  
  
• Anemia. A condition in which the number and volume of red blood cells and the amount of hemoglobin in the blood are lower than normal.
  
  
• Lymphoproliferative disorders. Conditions in which cells of the lymphatic system grow excessively, such as leukemia or lymphoma.
  
  
• Paget's disease. A chronic disorder that may result in enlarged or deformed bones.
  
  
• Psoriasis. A common skin inflammation characterized by redness, itching, and thick, dry, silvery scales on the skin.
  
  
• Exposure to lead. Some studies have linked environmental exposure to lead with gout.