Snoring can double the risk of developing agonising gout, according to research. The particularly painful form of arthritis is often seen as a disease of ‘portly gentlemen who eat and drink too much’.

But a study of 80,000 people in the UK found those with breathing problems during sleep are much more likely to develop the common joint condition. Known as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), it fuels production of uric acid. Too much can turn into needle-like crystals which leads to severe inflammation and swelling.

This causes the acute, intermittent and painful attacks in the knees, ankles and especially the feet. What’s more it may come on up to five years after first being diagnosed with OSA – the world’s most common sleep disorder affecting 1.5 million people in the UK alone.

People of normal weight were twice as prone to gout – contrary to its stereotypical image of striking down obese gentleman of the Victorian era. Study leader Dr Edward Roddy, of Keele University in Staffordshire, said: “People with sleep apnoea are at an increased risk of gout in both the short and long term. “Since this risk was highest in people with normal body mass index, doctors and other health professionals should consider the possibility of gout in patients with sleep apnoea – regardless of body mass index.”

He added: “For those with normal BMI the highest significant hazard ratio of 2.02 was observed at two to five years post index date.”

The findings published in Arthritis & Rheumatology are based on 15,879 patients with OSA and 63,296 healthy individuals. Sleep apnoea restricts oxygen supply to the brain. It can be treated by wearing a mask in bed that blows air into the back of the throat.

Gout is usually associated with a rich diet. Symptoms can be eased by eating foods low in purines such as nuts, low fat dairy products, eggs and some fruits. Purines are chemicals that boost uric acid. Sleep apnoea has been linked to increasing the risk of a range of other illnesses including high blood pressure, diabetes and even dementia.

It’s thought intermittent oxygen deficiency due to OSA leads to over-production of uric acid – leading to gout. Dr Milica Blagojevic-Bucknall said: “Sleep apnoea is commonly treated with continuous positive airways pressure – or CPAP – therapy.

“Since CPAP treatment corrects low oxygen levels it might also be expected to reduce uric acid levels – which could possibly reduce the risk of developing gout or treat existing gout. However further research is needed to investigate the effect of treatment with CPAP in people with gout.”

The treatment consists of a plastic mask that fits over the nose and mouth and is connected to a machine that blows air under low pressure continually into the back of the throat as the patient lies in bed. Recent research has shown people with sleep apnoea are up to three times more likely to develop dementia.

In sleep apnoea, the muscles and soft tissue in the throat relax, blocking the airways. This interferes with breathing, often stopping it altogether for short periods many times a night.

Twice as common in men as in women, it can begin at any time, including childhood. Many sufferers are unaware they have it. The symptoms are often noticed first by a partner. As well as heavy snoring, they include noisy and laboured breathing and repeated short periods of gasping or snorting.

Treatment consists of a plastic mask that fits over the nose and mouth and is connected to a machine that blows air under low pressure continually into the back of the throat.