Gout affects about 1 to 21–2% of adults in the developed world at some point in their lives.<ref name=Lancet2010/> It has become more common in recent decades.<ref name="Dalbeth2016"/> This is believed to be due to increasing risk factors in the population, such as [[metabolic syndrome]], longer life expectancy, and changes in diet.<ref name=Lancet2010/> Older males are most commonly affected.<ref name="Dalbeth2016"/> Gout was historically known as "the disease of kings" or "rich man's disease".<ref name=Lancet2010/><ref name=Dic>{{cite web |url=http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Rich+Man%27s+Disease |title=Rich Man's Disease – definition of Rich Man's Disease in the Medical dictionary |website= Free Online Medical Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia}}</ref> It has been recognized at least since the time of the ancient Egyptians.<ref name=Lancet2010/>
