Gout patients ignoring beverage advice

Gout

18 May 2015

Over half of all gout patients are not following advice to abstain from sugar sweetened drinks, a study from New Zealand finds.

The survey of 1023 adults with gout found that 64% reported consuming at least one sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) per day, with 18% admitting to drinking more than four a day. 

Given that one regular can of SSB contains about 8 teaspoons (32g), of added sugar, this is the limit of intake recommended for the general population, while those with gout are advised to abstain completely, said Nicola Dalbeth and Lisa Stamp and colleagues in their paper published in PLOS One.

Risk factors for high intake included younger age, male gender, higher BMI, Pacific or Māori ancestry and current smoking.

“Awareness of this pattern by physicians and health professionals involved in the care of these patients is important to address, since limiting intake is likely to reduce complications of the disease,” the study authors concluded. 

Already a member?

Login to keep reading.

OR
Email me a login link