Interplay between fat, muscle, bone mass, and oteophytes and risk for tophaceous gout

Tophaceous gout is a common arthritis caused by the deposition of urate crystals and is related to limited joint function. Although there are reports that uric acid (UA) is associated with bone mineral density (BMD), little is known about the relationship between UA, osteophytes, and muscle. This cross-sectional case-control study was performed in patients with tophaceous gout. The control group included patients without gout. All subjects underwent BMD and body composition analyses. Age, sex, alcohol consumption, smoking, and radiography of both knees were recorded. Adjusted ORs for tophaceous gout were calculated using the logistical regression models. A total of 150 male patients were enrolled, including 65 individuals with tophaceous gout and 85 without gout. The mean age of the patients with tophaceous gout was 59.94±12.40 years, while that of individuals without gout was 61.29±11.57 years (p=0.492). Patients with tophaceous gout have a higher mean body mass index, fat mass, appendicular lean mass, BMD, and osteophytes. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that fat mass (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.27 to 3.18), appendicular lean mass (OR 4.27, 95% CI 1.86 to 9.83), and osteophytes (OR 5.88, 95% CI 1.72 to 20.13) were significantly associated with tophaceous gout. In the current study, higher fat mass, high muscle mass, and osteophyte formation were found to increase the risk of tophaceous gout, as the association is the most than can be inferred from a cross-sectional study. Therefore, reducing body fat and weight management may prevent tophaceous gout.