Smoking cessation

Avoid

3 studies · 1 recommendation

Last updated: February 22, 2026

Avoid3 studies

Quit smoking to reduce gout risk and improve urate treatment outcomes

Three studies encompassing over 6,500 participants link smoking to worse gout outcomes. A cohort study of 6,346 women found current female smokers faced a 66% higher risk of developing hyperuricemia or gout (HR 1.66, 95% CI: 1.05-2.63) compared to never smokers, independent of BMI, alcohol use, and other metabolic factors. In a separate cohort of 100 patients with crystal-proven gout, non-smoking status was positively associated with achieving target serum urate levels (<6 mg/dl) at 24-month follow-up, where only 26% of survivors reached treatment goals. Community screening of 56 individuals confirmed that 85.7% of non-smokers had lower gout risk profiles. Smoking cessation serves as a modifiable intervention alongside diet and weight management to reduce both gout incidence and improve long-term urate control.

Evidence

Risk Factors for Hyperuricemia or Gout in Men and Women: The Circulatory Risk in Communities Study (CIRCS)

Authors: Hayama-Terada M, Imano H, Iso H, Kihara T, Kishida R, Kitamura A, Kiyama M, Maruyama K, Muraki I, Ohira T, Okada T, Sankai Tomoko, Shimizu Y, Takada M, Tanaka M, Teramura S, Umesawa M, Yamagishi Kazumasa

Published: October 1, 2023

Among 6,346 women followed for a median of 14.6 years, 355 developed hyperuricemia or gout. Current female smokers had a multivariable hazard ratio of 1.66 (95% CI: 1.05-2.63) compared to never smokers. This association was statistically significant and independent of drinking status, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. Notably, smoking was not a significant risk factor in men (HR 1.18, 95% CI: 0.93-1.50 for 20+ cigarettes/day).

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CEGAH PENYAKIT GOUT ARTHRITIS MELALUI DETEKSI DINI

Authors: Anugrah, Ramalah Tabah, Darni, Zahri, Dewi, DWS Suarse, Nelwetis, Nelwetis, Ngasirotun, Ngasirotun, Nuraeni, Ani, Rahayu, Hemma Siti, Syukri, Danisa Zumawaddah Warahmah, Tyas, Delina Septianing, Vrisilia, Slingga Anjely, Yosinda, Kristina Ratu

Published: April 7, 2023

In the screening of 56 community members, 48 participants (85.7%) who did not smoke demonstrated lower risk profiles for gout arthritis. The study identified smoking as one of the key modifiable risk factors for gout development, alongside high-purine diet, alcohol use, physical inactivity, obesity, and family history.

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Patients with severe gout treated in mixed settings

Authors: Larsen, Monica Bak, Linauskas, Asta, Rasmussen, Claus

Published: October 18, 2021

In this cohort study of 100 patients with crystal-proven gout (median age 70 years, 82% male), treatment success was positively associated with non-smoking status. Of the 85 patients who survived the first year, only 22 (26%) achieved target serum urate levels (<6 mg/dl or <5 mg/dl with tophi present) at 24-month follow-up. Non-smoking was identified as one of the factors associated with reaching treatment targets, alongside written treatment plans, clinic-initiated therapy, patient education, and more frequent outpatient visits.

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