Targeting low blood uric acid versus treating gout flares for adults with gout
Official title: Treat-to-Target Serum Urate versus Treat-to-Avoid Symptoms in Gout: A Randomized Controlled Trial (TRUST)
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11171432 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This compares keeping blood uric acid below a set level versus treating gout flares only, for adults living with gout.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,812,686 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AR080985-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11171432 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (age 21 and older) with a diagnosis of gout who can take urate‑lowering medication, have regular blood testing, and attend follow‑up visits are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without gout, those unwilling or unable to take urate‑lowering drugs or have regular blood tests, or those with contraindications to study treatments may not receive benefit from participation.
What this research studies
If you join, adults with gout will be randomly assigned to either care that aims to keep blood uric acid under a target using regular testing and urate‑lowering medicines, or to care that focuses on treating flare symptoms as they occur. Clinicians at participating centers (primary care and rheumatology) will manage medications, collect blood tests, and record gout flares and other health events. The trial will follow participants over time with clinic visits and medical record review to track gout attacks, kidney function, diabetes control, cardiovascular events, and quality of life. Results are intended to give clear, practical guidance for routine gout care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could show whether aiming for a low uric acid level prevents gout attacks and lowers risks of kidney, metabolic, or heart complications.
How similar studies have gone: Guidelines recommend lowering serum urate but high‑quality randomized trials directly comparing treat‑to‑target versus symptom‑based care are lacking, so this comparison remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Choi, Hyon K — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Choi, Hyon K
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.