title: [Epidemiology of hyperuricemia and gout in Japan].
abstract: It has been reported that the prevalence of hyperuricemia in Japan is 20-25% in adult male population and has been increasing at least until a few years ago. Although epidemiological data for the prevalence of gout in Japan is limited, a recent study conducted in a local area of Wakayama prefecture reported a prevalence of 1.1% in men. Japanese national census data revealed that the number of individuals visiting hospitals with a self-diagnosis of gout has been increasing. The census data also showed that the proportion of individuals with obesity(BMI > or = 25) has been increasing in male population, probably due to decreasing physical exercise. This epidemic of obesity may be one cause for a recent increase in hyperuricemic individuals in Japan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Human Ecology, Yasuda Women' s University.
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hakoda
mesh_terms: D015444:Exercise; D006073:Gout / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D033461:Hyperuricemia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence