Are you at risk of gout?

High urate levels in the blood (hyperuricemia) is the leading cause of gout, a common and painful form of inflammatory arthritis. However, it is currently unclear why some people with high urate levels develop gout and others do not.

Participation will involve attending an initial 90-minute visit at the University of Auckland’s Clinical Research Centre at the Grafton Campus*, and a second visit five years later. At each study visit we will ask you to complete some questions about your health, assess your height and weight, examine your joints for tenderness and swelling, assess your walking, collect urine and blood samples to test your urate levels, creatinine (kidney function) and CRP (marker of inflammation) and, if you agree, to look at your DNA. Ultrasound scans and x-rays of your feet and knees will also be taken.

Parking is provided, and participants will be offered $150 koha in petrol vouchers for the initial visit and $50 koha in petrol vouchers for the second visit.

* In-person study visits are currently being conducted with additional safety measures in place.

You may be eligible for this study if you:

• Are between 18-80 years old
  
• Have high blood urate levels and/or a family history of gout

Unfortunately, we cannot include people with end-stage kidney disease who are on renal replacement therapy, those with serious health issues, or those who plan to shift out of Auckland in the next 5 years.

For further information please read the participant information sheet below before contacting:

Bobby Mihov
Email: b.mihov@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: +64 9 923 4100
Mobile: 027 281 2491