Global, Regional and National Burdens of Gout in People Aged 20 - 54 Years from 1990 to 2021: An Analysis Based on the 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study

Hongqiu Li, Qingzhu Wu, A Liang, Zhonghai Zhao, Nan Jiang, Feng Yang

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¹ Department of Orthopaedic, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110024, Liaoning, China ,

² Department of Orthopaedic, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110024, Liaoning, China ,

³ Department of Orthopaedic, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110024, Liaoning, China,

⁴ Department of Rehabilitation, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110024, Liaoning, China,

⁵ Department of Orthopaedic, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110024, Liaoning, China,

⁶ Department of Radiology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110024, Liaoning, China ,

CO 2026 , 1(1), 62–79; https://doi.org/10.26689/co.v1i1.15927

© 2026 by the Authors. Licensee: Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty Ltd, Australia. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )

Abstract

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of gout in people aged 20 - 54 years at global, regional, and national levels using data from the 2021 GBD study, and evaluate the impact of BMI and renal dysfunction on the burden of gout in this age group. Methods: Incidence, prevalence, and DALYs of gout were extracted from GBD 2021. Descriptive analysis was performed at global, regional, and national levels. Trends were analyzed using estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and joinpoint regression analysis. Proportional attributable fractions of risk factors (high BMI and impaired kidney function) were calculated. Results: Globally, from 1990 to 2021, the rates of incidence, prevalence, and DALYs of gout in people aged 20 - 54 years increased. Regionally, the United States, China, and East Asia had significant increases. By SDI quintiles, the highest increases in prevalence and DALYs were in the High SDI quintile, and in incidence in the High-middle SDI quintile. Males had higher values than females. The fastest increasing periods for incidence (1996 - 2004), prevalence (1996 - 2004), and DALYs (1996 - 2003) were identified. Globally in 2021, high BMI and impaired kidney function accounted for certain proportions of DALYs, with regional and national variations. Conclusion: The burden of gout in people aged 20 - 54 years has increased significantly worldwide, with differences across various factors. Prevention strategies, improved management, and further research on gout in this age group are crucial, especially regarding its relationship with high BMI and impaired renal function.

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