The epidemiology of hyperuricaemia and gout in Taiwan aborigines

To determine the prevalence of hyperuricaemia, gout and gout-relatedfactors in Central Taiwan Atayal aborigines, 342 subjects over 18 yr oldwere interviewed and examined. A questionnaire was designed to screen forsigns and symptoms of gout and gout-related risk factors. Serum uric acid,triglyceride and creatinine were measured in all subjects. The prevalenceof hyperuricaemia was 41.4% and that of gout 11.7% in aborigines. The uricacid level was 7.9+/-1.7 mg/dl in males and 5.7+/-1.5 in females, anddiffered significantly under age 70 yr (P < 0.001). Significantlyincreased triglyceride, creatinine and alcoholism was found in goutypatients compared with non-gouty patients. In 40 cases with gout, 54% hadtophi and 35% of their first- degree relatives had gout. The highprevalence of hyperuricaemia and gout in Taiwan Atayal aborigines, asignificant family predisposition, increased creatinine level andalcoholism suggest multiple factors affecting the hyperuricaemia.