Why Gout Deserves More Attention, With Olivia Perry

Olivia Perry

Credit: Alliance for Patient Access

Gout affects more than 9 million Americans, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized chronic diseases. Often dismissed as a one-off flare or wrongly blamed on poor lifestyle choices, gout is actually a serious, progressive condition that can lead to long-term joint damage, kidney disease, and even increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

In honor of Gout Awareness Day, The Educated Patient interviewed Olivia Perry, coalition director at the Alliance for Patient Access, who is working to change that. She breaks down the biggest myths about gout, explains why treating the root cause — high uric acid — is critical, and shares what patients need to know about new treatments, diagnosis and starting the journey toward long-term management.

What’s the biggest misconception you see about gout that you wish more people understood?

Olivia Perry: Gout is a serious chronic condition. It not only impacts the joints but also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke, and kidney disease. Like these conditions, gout needs to be taken seriously.

Why is gout still so underrecognized and undertreated, even though it affects millions of Americans?

OP: Gout still carries a serious stigma due to a lot of the misinformation that continues to be circulated — and a general lack of awareness of the disease and its impact. Often, patients face judgment and blame for their condition, which makes them less likely to seek treatment. That makes it really critical that we increase support for these patients to ensure they can get effective treatment.

What are some early signs of gout that patients shouldn’t ignore?

OP: More than 50% of gout flares start in the big toe, but it is also important for people to know that uric acid crystals can form in any joint in the body, such as the knees, hands and feet. Pain is the primary sign, but the gout is still there, even after the pain of a gout flare ends. That last point is really important. Treating the cause of gout — not just the flare — is critical to effectively manage the condition.

How can patients tell the difference between a gout flare and something like arthritis or an injury?

OP: Gout is a form of arthritis, but it’s often misdiagnosed as an injury or other forms of arthritis. One way to know the difference: level of pain. Gout flares are usually excruciatingly painful; patients will often talk about how even the brush of a bedsheet or air from a fan will lead to immense pain. Gout flares will also often start in the big toe before spreading to other joints. Talking through the full onset of symptoms with a specialist can help patients identify their pain as gout or something else.

Why is it important to treat gout as a chronic disease — not just something that flares up now and then?

OP: When left untreated, gout can have serious and lasting impacts on the whole body. Uric acid crystals can build up, eating away at the bone and causing permanent joint damage. Gout attacks can also become worse and more frequent when left untreated. It is important that gout is treated as a chronic condition, addressing the underlying symptoms and not just the pain to ensure that further irreversible damage is not caused.

Are there new treatment options available for people with gout?

OP: There are several types of U.S Food and Drug Administration [FDA]-approved medications that can help address a gout attack. Colchicine has been used for years to treat gout and can help prevent gout attacks. Patients are sometimes also treated with corticosteroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents [NSAIDs] to reduce inflammation and pain.

The only way to manage gout over the long term is through medications that help to lower or manage uric acid levels. Allopurinol, febuxostat and probenecid are all oral medications that can help to manage uric acid. For patients with chronic or uncontrolled gout, pegloticase, an innovative biologic medicine, can be effective. New treatments in gout are also being developed.

What’s the most important first step for someone newly diagnosed with gout?

OP: Education. This is an important first step to ensure patients have a clear understanding of their new diagnosis and can help to guide conversations with their health care provider and family and friends.

For more information and support, visit the Alliance for Gout Awareness, which offers trusted resources to help patients understand and manage their condition year-round — not just on Gout Awareness Day.