Maori help in gout study

Maori in Rotorua will help in a study to find the genetic causes of gout, a form of arthritis prevalent in New Zealand.

The city's Queen Elizabeth Hospital has received a $78,000 grant for the project. It will study 100 Maori families with two or more members who have the disease.

Up to 14 per cent of Maori men and 6.4 per cent of Maori women have gout compared with 5.8 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively for Europeans.

Specialist rheumatologist Dr Peter Jones said finding the genetic causes would lead to better screening, early intervention and improved treatment.

The genetic research is being done by the Department of Molecular Medicine at Auckland University.

"Genetic factors will be important in detecting who gets gout or not. If we can work out the genetic causes it may lead to early and better treatment," Dr Jones said.

It was also an opportunity to raise gout awareness.

"There are a lot of people who either don't get diagnosed until quite late, don't seek medical help or get inappropriate advice.

"We need to educate health providers and communities about the fact that something can be done and there is some point to getting help."

Gout is caused by an accumulation of uric acid, a byproduct of metabolism.

It causes pain and swelling in joints and over time causes damage. In severe cases it also affects the kidneys and can worsen heart failure.

- NZPA