Whenever summer fades into autumn, it’s only natural to be saddened by the fading of (hopefully) warm and long days. But for some, entering into the colder portion of the year can bring more worries than simply waving goodbye to beer garden evenings and barbecues. For instance, many people believe that their gout symptoms worsen in the colder months. But is this really true? Let’s take a look at the evidence.
What are the causes of gout?
Gout is a common inflammatory condition that affects the joints in the body - most commonly in the feet. It is one of over a hundred conditions categorised as arthritis with symptoms having a significant impact on everyday life. Gout occurs in periods of “flare-up” - during which time symptoms emerge - and remission.
The primary cause of gout is elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. Over time, this leads to the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints which are responsible for the painful symptoms of the condition. However, a number of other factors are also believed to play a role in the development of gout, including injury and genetics. But what about environmental factors - for instance, does cold weather make gout worse?
Gout and the weather
Some evidence suggests that temperature may have a role to play in the formation of uric acid crystals. For example, it is often said that gout is most common in the big toes because they are the furthest body part from the heart - as a result, they tend to be colder than other parts of the body. This lower temperature may contribute to the crystallisation of uric acid in the joints.
But does this theory extend to environmental temperatures? Well, several studies have aimed to find out. For example, one study found that acute gout attacks may peak in April (not traditionally considered a “cold” month) and trough in October; however, the authors note that there is currently no valid hypothesis to explain observed different seasonal patterns in gout attacks.
Another study, published in 2014, aimed to determine the effects of temperature and humidity on the risk of recurrent gout attacks. The researchers found that it was in fact higher temperatures, combined with low humidity, that appeared to have the greatest association with gout attacks.
Still, many people with gout insist that they suffer more flare-ups in the winter than at other times of the year. This may still be the case - even if the temperature outside plays less of a role than we might think.
Other potential factors
Take the holiday season, for example. Christmas and New Year is traditionally a time of merriment when diet rules go out of the window and having a glass of wine or three is generally more acceptable. So, could this temporary dietary freedom have anything to do with an increased incidence of gout flare-ups?
Well, research into this phenomenon is rather scarce, but many experts agree that it stands to reason. After all, many of our favourite festive foods, from cheese and wine to turkey and other meats, are high in purines - a natural compound that can contribute to heightened uric acid levels.
Conclusions
To date, there is little evidence to suggest gout attacks are more common in the colder months. But that isn’t to say this isn’t the case for you. Indeed, several factors, including hormonal and dietary changes could contribute to this phenomenon.
So, if you find that the cold weather influences your risk of a gout attack, remember to wrap up warm (especially your feet), drink plenty of water, and remember to take your supplements. Oh, and maybe be a little more careful when the festive season rolls around!
