Climate Change, Environmental Risk Factors, and Gout

Worldwide, gout is increasing at a rapid rate. Although genetics and diet play primary roles in gout development, emerging evidence suggests that environmental risk factors may also play a significant contributory role. In this review, we examine the evidence linking environmental exposures to gout risk, summarize potential pathophysiologic mechanisms, and highlight key knowledge gaps and underexplored areas. In particular, we highlight the impact of air pollution, ambient temperature, water contamination with heavy metals, chronic kidney disease (as it relates both to gout and climate change), dietary factors such as ultraprocessed food consumption, and various other pollutants in increasing the risk of gout.