A new study has found that women have a minor risk of developing gout compared with men, even if they have the same blood levels of the chemical, which causes the painful, inflammatory arthritis.

Gout has conventionally been thought of as an ailment of older men, but older women can get it, too. A recent national health survey revealed that around 4% of women in their 60s and 6% of those in their 80s suffered from gout.

In one of the first extensive studies to observe gout by gender, researchers discovered that in women, just as in men, older age, obesity, high blood pressure, alcohol usage, and use of diuretics are all risk factors for gout.

Gout arises when high blood levels of uric acid forms crystals in the joints and adjoining tissue, resulting in unbearably painful inflammation and puffiness.

The large toe, knee, and ankle joints are the most prevalent places for gout, and assaults normally begin during the night. The painful swelling usually goes away in some days, but more than half of people who have one attack will have others.

Study Researcher, Hyon Choi, MD, tells WebMD that estrogen is considered to reduce uric acid levels in the blood, and prior studies have revealed that hormone therapy can protect against gout.