Family study of lipid and purine levels in gout patients and analysis of mortality.

A family study was performed to determine whether the hypertriglyceridaemia associated with gout is present in families of gout patients or simply due to their life-style. The study revealed hypertriglyceridaemia in gout patients, reflected by hyperprebetalipoproteinaemia and with reciprocal reduction in the proportion of beta-lipoprotein. These abnormalities were not seen in first-degree relatives. No definite increase in mortality was found from coronary or cerebrovascular disease in male gout patients after presentation to hospital or in their relatives. Families of hyperlipidaemic gout patients did reveal a slight increase in male coronary deaths although the significance of this finding was doubtful since some hypercholesterolaemia was found in these hyperlipidaemic families.