Surgery, sudden or severe illness or injury, and immobility due to bed rest can also increase uric acid levels. Chemotherapy treatments for cancer may increase the breakdown of abnormal cells, releasing large amounts of purines into your blood. One out of four people with gout has a family history of the ailment. Age and sex. Gout occurs most often in men.
Women tend to have lower uric acid levels than men do until after menopause .
Then the uric acid level in women approaches that of men. Men are most likely to first experience gout between the ages of 30 and 50. Women aren't likely to develop gout until they are between the ages of 50 and 70. If you experience sudden, intense pain in a joint, call your doctor. Do this even if the pain goes away in 1 or 2 days.