Kidney dysfunction is fueling a rising global gout burden, with older men facing the greatest disability. A new study using Global Burden of Disease 2021 data reveals gout attributable to renal impairment accounted for an estimated 200,033 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2021. The age-standardized DALY rate rose from 1.47 per 100,000 in 1990 to 2.36 per 100,000 in 2021.
The burden is not evenly distributed. Higher sociodemographic index regions carry a disproportionate share, and the gap between high and low SDI regions continues to widen. Males have higher age-standardized DALY rates than females, with both sexes showing progressive increases with age.
Despite the rise, projection models suggest the global burden may decline by 2036. The findings underscore the need for tailored management in older adults, particularly men with renal impairment. Enhanced screening, optimized treatment strategies, and attention to regional inequities are essential to reduce disability from gout linked to kidney dysfunction.