UK metropolis sees leap in Victorian illness as warning issued over ‘sickness of Kings’

A painful Victorian illness has skyrocketed in one UK city as experts warn how to prevent it.

Commonly referred to as the “illness of Kings” or “rich man’s disease,” gout is often attributed to unhealthy lifestyle choices such as eating fatty foods, being overweight, and not exercising. It is widely believed King Henry VIII – who sported a 52″ waist and was thought to have weighed around 28 stone – suffered from gout attacks due to his indulgent diet.

But new data suggests the disease, which affects around one in 40 people in the UK, is back on the rise. Especially in one city, where cases have jumped by more than 900%.

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Experts over at NowPatient conducted a Freedom of Information request to NHS trusts across the nation to track cases of gout. It found that between 2019 and 2023, the number of cases at Liverpool University Hospital skyrocketed by a staggering 960%.

Cases jumped from just 553 to more than 5,8000 – more than any other trust in England, The Liverpool Echo reports. Dorset came in second place, with cases increasing from 388 to 1,239 (219%) during the same time frame.

“Gout is a type of arthritis that can cause sudden and severe joint pain,” said Navin Khosla from NowPatient. “The main symptoms of gout are sudden and severe bouts of pain, which will usually start in the big toe but it can also present itself in the feet, wrists, ankles and other joints of the body.

“Another indication of gout is when the skin over the area of pain turns swollen or red. So, if you do experience any of these symptoms, you can take ibuprofen to help ease the pain.”

According to the NHS, gout is caused by having too much uric acid in your blood, which can lead to “crystals forming around your joints.” It is more common in men, especially if you are overweight, drink alcohol, have high blood pressure or cholesterol, or take medicines such as diuretics (water tablets).

You might trigger a gout attack if you drink too much booze or scoff down a “very large, fatty meal” or have an illness that causes a high temperature, the medical body added. Those suffering from gout are advised to try and lose weight, follow a healthy diet, drink plenty of fluids, exercise regularly and quit smoking.

You should contact your GP for an emergency appointment or call 11 if the pain is getting worse, you have a very high temperature, or you feel sick and cannot eat. These symptoms could be a sign of an infection inside your joints, which requires urgent medical attention.

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