AT A GLANCE

A new study published in Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology reports a causal link between the risk of gout and hypertension but could not confirm a connection with three anti-hypertensive medications.¹

“Hypertension frequently coexists with gout, and previous studies have suggested a potential association between these conditions,” explain study authors He et al. Meanwhile, “angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers are essential treatments for hypertension, though their effects on gout risk remains unclear and contradictory.”

Using data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) alongside two-sample and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, the authors therefore sought to evaluate the independent effects of hypertension, candesartan, lisinopril, and ramipril on gout risk.

Ultimately, their analysis of FAERS data revealed that the lower bound of the 95% confidence interval for the reporting odds ratio exceeded a value of 1 for candesartan, lisinopril, and ramipril, suggesting potential associations between these medications and gout. However, the two-sample MR analysis suggested significant causal links only for ramipril and hypertension, while an association remained significant in multivariable MR analysis only for hypertension.

“In summary, our study identifies a significant causal relationship between hypertension and gout risk but does not support a causal effect for the three anti-hypertensive medications—candesartan cilexetil, lisinopril, and ramipril,” conclude the authors.

Reference

1.     He Y, Chen L, Jia J, et al. Investigation of the causal effects of hypertension, candesartan, lisinopril, and ramipril on gout (online ahead of print October 4, 2025). Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol.