BSR statement in support of the Lancet Report on NICE
BSR Statement on Gout
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The British Medical Journal (BMJ) published a report today linking the intake of sugar sweetened soft drinks and fructose with an increased risk of gout in men.
Gout is caused by a build up of uric acid (urate) in your blood. The urate can accumulate in crystals in a joint, or in the surrounding tissue. These crystals can cause severe pain, swelling and inflammation in the joints.
Dr Andrew Bamji, President of the British Society for Rheumatology said; “Anecdotally cases of gout appeared to be rising. When you think about it, the finding that soft drinks consumption may be a cause makes a lot of sense in that fructose raises the level of uric acid in the blood”.
He added; “I always tell people to avoid yeast- containing foods – beer and Marmite are two such. However I will certainly adapt my advice to patients as I suspect the number drinking fructose-containing drinks is quite large”.
For further information contact:
Katy Lewis klewis@rheumatology.org.uk
020 7842 0919
February 2008
Note to editors
The BMJ article can be found at