Question
Is it or can it be hereditary?
Answer
Gout can run in families, but how frequently this occurs is not known exactly. Studies have shown familial incidences ranging from 11 to 80%. One English study showed that 40% of gout patients gave a family history of gout. In almost all cases, there are multiple genes that control the elevated levels of uric acid and thus the inheritance of gout is variable. One rare exception is the HGPRT genetic deficiency syndrome whihc shows an x-linked inheritance pattern.
