Current Research
In order to provide our patients with the most cutting-edge, evidence-based approaches to gout and crystal arthropathy care, our Center remains committed to clinical and translational research. Our physicians have already led a number of high-profile and impactful studies that have helped define the standard of care for patients with gout and other crystal arthropathies. Patients have the opportunity to participate in ongoing clinical research and trials to help further our collective knowledge about gout and other crystal arthropathies.
TRUST Trial
This is a large, multi-site study funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This study is focusing on two treatment approaches: the Treat-To-Serum Urate approach and Treat-to-Avoid Symptoms approach. The Treat-To-Serum approach utilizes regular medication to lower serum urate levels to a target level, while the Treat-to-Avoid Symptoms approach opts for a more reactive method of symptom management. By understanding these treatment methods, we hope to find more information to improve gout care for patients.
Boston Online Gout II
This is a large, multi-center study funded by a NIH P50 CORT (Centers of Research Translation) grant to investigate how genes interact with key environmental triggers of gout flares (i.e., gene-environmental interaction) through an Internet-based case-crossover study platform in collaboration with the Partners Biobank. The Boston Online Study I (funded by NIH P60) identified the triggering effects of purine-rich foods, alcohol, hospitalization, diuretic use, low-dose aspirin, overnight/early-morning time, and weather factors for gout flares (Zhang et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2014; Choi et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2015).
The Gout Registry at MGH
The Gout Registry at Massachusetts General Hospital is a data and tissue repository established by the Gout and Crystal Arthropathy Center for patients with gout in partnership with the Partners Biobank. Particular areas of research interest include patient-reported outcomes in gout (e.g., employment, quality-of-life), ultrasound assessment of treatment response to gout care, and pharmacogenomics.
The Pseudogout Registry
The Pseudogout Registry at Massachusetts General Hospital is a data and tissue repository established by the Gout and Crystal Arthropathy Center for patients with pseudogout in partnership with the Partners Biobank. Among many aims, clinical information collected in this registry will be used in developing classification criteria for pseudogout, which are needed to streamline clinical research and care. Our Center is leading this project, funded by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR).