Alaska healthcare workers break down misconceptions surrounding gout

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - In Alaska, there are limited places where people can seek treatment for gout, a common and complex form of arthritis.

“It’s a very underserved specialty,” said Dr. John Botson, a rheumatologist at Orthopedic Physicians Alaska. “We have the most rheumatologists we’ve ever had in the state right now. And, you know, we probably need to double the amount we have in order to serve everyone well.”

At the same time, Botson said, gout is often misunderstood, and can have a stigma tied to it.

“Most people think the reason why they get gout is by what they eat, or what they do, or what they drink,” Botson said. “And that’s really not what we know about gout now. So that’s kind of one of the misnomers that we’re trying to get by.”

Botson said people need to stop blaming themselves or others for having gout. Botson said gout is related to genetics and is the result of a metabolic problem in which people produce too much uric acid.

When that gets into people’s joints or muscles, it can lead to chronic pain.

“It’s like having high cholesterol or having diabetes,” Botson said. “You’re kind of predisposed to it by who your parents are.

“Gout is pain. It’s pain in the joint, it’s warmth, redness, swelling.”

Certain demographics, such as Native Hawaiian and Indian populations, are also more prone to gout, according to Botson.

He recommends that people pay attention to symptoms and get early screening. From there, he said, gout can be managed through a combination of medication and establishing a healthy diet.

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