EFFECT OF LIFESTYLE CHANGE ON INCIDENT GOUT: A NATIONWIDE POPULATION-BASED COHORT OF YOUNG MEN

BackgroundAlthough gout in young people is increasing, studies on the risk factors for gout in these people are lacking.ObjectivesIn this study, we explored the risk factors of gout and effect of lifestyle change on the development of gout in large nationwide population-based cohort of young men.MethodsBetween 2009–2012, men aged 20–39 years who participated in two national health examinations at 2-year intervals were included in the study. The outcome was occurrence of gout, which was defined using the diagnosis code of gout (ICD-10 code M10) in the claims database. Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the association between incident gout and baseline factors or lifestyle change.ResultsA total of 1,977,849 subjects were included in the study, and the mean follow-up period was 5.5 ± 4.3 years. Gout occurred in 38,839 subjects (incidence rate = 3.59/1,000 person-years). A high body mass index, alcohol drinking, and comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia were associated with an increased risk of gout. Among lifestyle factors, change in obesity had the greatest impact on gout, followed by drinking. Development of obesity increased the risk of gout by 1.75 times (95% CI 1.68–1.81), and recovery from obesity decreased the risk of gout by 40% (aHR 0.60, 95% CI 0.57–0.64). Heavy drinking increased the risk of gout by 38% (aHR 1.38, 95% CI 1.33–1.43), and stopping heavy drinking decreased the risk of gout by 11% (aHR 0.89, 95% CI 0.85–0.94). The effect of obesity on gout was evident in the younger age group, and the effect of heavy drinking on gout was weak in the severely obese group.ConclusionObesity and heavy drinking in young men are important modifiable risk factors for gout. Therefore, the management of these risk factors in young men should be emphasized.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared