Each year, National Gout Awareness Day is observed on May 22. In honor of this day, we’re here to explain the connection between gout and chronic kidney disease (CKD), how to manage these two conditions and to share the stories of people who are living with gout and CKD.
CKD—which affects 1 in 7 American adults—is one of the leading causes of gout, but gout can also lead to CKD. One out of 10 people with CKD have gout, and an even higher percentage of people with gout have CKD.
Gout, a type of arthritis caused by having too much uric acid in your blood, causes crystals to form in the joints, leading to swelling and pain. As these crystals pass through the kidneys, they can cause damage and scarring, which can lead to kidney disease and kidney failure (otherwise known as end-stage kidney disease), especially if your gout is left untreated. If you have gout, be sure to talk to your doctor about getting tested for CKD.
Treatment for CKD and gout can be difficult because some medicines (such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]) that are commonly used to treat gout are not safe for the kidneys. Additionally, some people with CKD take medicines that may increase their risk of developing gout. If you are living with CKD and gout, it is important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you take so they can suggest a treatment plan that will work for you.
There are several steps people living with gout and CKD can take to keep these conditions under control and improve their health, including: maintaining a blood pressure below 130/80; keeping a blood sugar level of 80 mg/dL to130 mg/dL before eating and less than 180 mg/dL two hours after eating; maintaining a healthy weight for you and exercising at least 30 minutes, five days a week
Self-advocacy is also important. When Theresa, a registered nurse who lives with gout and CKD, tried to call out of work one day because she was having a severe gout attack, her boss told her there was no reason she couldn’t work “just because of some sore joints.” In a heartfelt letter, Theresa wrote about the impact gout has on her life.
“I usually just brush off the comments and keep concentrating on getting through this shift, but today is different,” she wrote. “Please don’t think I don’t want to work today or don’t care about my co-workers. I am doing everything I can, but some days we all need a little extra help, and today is my day.” Theresa then explained what was going on in her body. “I have crystals forming in the joints of my foot,” she wrote. “These crystals cause excruciating pain when moving around as I walk. My foot feels like it’s on fire and getting my shoes and socks on in the morning usually takes all the energy I have for the day.” She emphasized that people dealing with gout and CKD should be open with others about what they are going through. “[Being honest] made things so much better emotionally and physically [for me],” Theresa said.
Kyle, who also lives with gout and CKD, said his first memory of gout was waking up and feeling “excruciating pain” in his foot area. “I thought maybe it was a sprained foot, so I disregarded it until it started to recur,” Kyle said. “The diagnosis and treatment the doctors gave me was to take Advil, [which] is an NSAID and not a good thing for folks with potential kidney failure or kidney disease.” Kyle consulted with a different medical team and asked questions, and was then diagnosed with gout, which he said brought him relief. As a result, he encourages people to not lose hope. “Don’t feel like you’re alone if you are not able to find the answers right away,” he said. “Just try to manage the best you can every day.”
Like Kyle, Ellery’s first experience with gout occurred as he was waking up one morning. “[I was feeling] as though my foot was on fire,” he said. “I chalked it up to ‘I just stubbed my toe or bumped into something.” Gout was not a possibility in Ellery’s mind because he thought that it was a disease that impacted older people. He suffered with the pain in his foot for years before being diagnosed with kidney failure and gout.
“You have to be your own advocate,” Ellery said of his experience. “You have to make sure that you are aware of your body.” He also encouraged people living with gout and CKD to fully embrace joy and life. “I do what I can to make sure that I am enjoying life and that those around me are enjoying life also.”
For more information on gout and kidney disease, visit the American Kidney Fund (AKF)’s website
Click here for a downloadable uric acid and gout symptom tracker.
More about the author:
Michael Spigler has served as vice president of Patient Support and Education for the American Kidney Fund (AKF) since July 2015. Michael oversees a spectrum of programs and services: prevention activities, top-rated health educational resources, and charitable assistance that enables kidney patients to access lifesaving medical care, including dialysis and transplantation. Michael has more than 20 years of experience in creating and managing health education programs for a multitude of chronic health conditions, including kidney disease, cancer, food allergies and anxiety disorders.
