Association of sedentary behaviour with gout and the interaction effect of hyperuricemia: a cross-sectional study from 2007 to 2018

The increasing prevalence of sedentary lifestyles has raised concerns about its health impacts. This study sought to explore the association between sedentary behaviour and gout, a condition historically linked with affluent lifestyles but now increasingly prevalent in the general population.

Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database, this cross-sectional study analysed 34,526 participants from 2007 to 2018. The study focused on identifying any potential relationships between sedentary behaviour and the incidence of gout while adjusting for various confounders.

The study found a significant increase in the prevalence of gout from 2017 to 2018 and identified a reversed L-shaped relationship between sedentary behaviour and gout (OR = 1.03; 95% CI 1.00, 1.06; P = 0.0198), especially among individuals without hyperuricemia. Body Mass Index (BMI) may act as a key mediator in the relationship between sedentary behaviour and gout. In those with hyperuricemia, more than 12 h per day of sedentary behaviour substantially increased the prevalence of gout.

Prolonged sedentary behaviour emerged as an independent risk factor for gout. This association was particularly pronounced in individuals without hyperuricemia, suggesting the need for lifestyle modifications in this group. However, further research using prospective cohort studies is necessary to establish causality.