Temperature extremes caused by climate change have been found to cause an increased risk of gout flares, according to a new study.
Dr Derrick Lopez, from The University of Western Australia's School of Population and Global Health, was lead author of the study published in the International Journal of Population Data Science, which found cold and hot weather increased the risk of hospitalisation due to an increase in gout symptoms.
"Gout is an episodic form of arthritis related to uric acid levels and the number of patients with gout has increased over the past few decades," Dr Lopez said.
The study examined the relationship between daily maximum temperature and gout flare hospitalisation among residents of metropolitan Perth, using 35 years of hospital data supplemented with meteorological and population data.
"We found hot and cold temperatures increased the risk of gout flare hospitalisation and noted there were gender and age differences in the level of risk and its timing," Dr Lopez said.
Following hot days when the maximum temperature rose above 35°C, men aged 75 years or older had an immediate increased risk of gout flare hospitalisation when compared to a more comfortable day when the maximum temperature was 24°C. Women in the same age group experienced higher risk from days three to four following higher temperatures.
Men younger than 75 years had a higher risk of gout flare hospitalisation from days six to eight following hot temperatures while men aged 75 years and older experienced higher risk of gout flare hospitalisation from day seven to ten following cold temperature climate events when the maximum temperature fell below 15°C.
The findings suggest a need for measures to prevent gout flare not only for hot days but also during cold days.
"The results add to the number of conditions that have increased risks of hospitalisation following temperature extremes, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes and mental health conditions," Dr Lopez said.
"Given the increasing number of extreme temperature events, such as the heatwaves experienced across the country in recent weeks, the health system, which is already overstretched, needs to be prepared for immediate and delayed presentations to hospital following a period of extreme environmental temperature exposure.
"Particular attention must be paid to older people, such as those aged 75 years and over, who are at high risk of gout flare hospitalisation during temperature extremes."
