Treat-to-Target Urate in Gout: A New Approach for Better Pain and Health
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-11416296 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large clinical trial tests whether aiming for a specific uric acid level in gout patients improves symptoms and health outcomes compared with avoiding symptoms.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,893,456 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AR080985-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416296 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with gout being treated in clinical settings who can comply with follow-up visits and uric acid measurements.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not respond to urate-lowering therapy or who have contraindications to the study treatments may not benefit.
What this research studies
Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis that affects millions and is often poorly managed in everyday clinical care. This trial will compare two strategies for uric acid management in adults with gout, to see which approach leads to better pain control and fewer complications. Researchers will enroll patients from both rheumatology and primary care settings and use random assignment to different treatment targets, following participants over time. The study aims to provide high-level evidence to guide clinicians on the best way to lower uric acid and reduce gout-related harm.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience better symptom control and possibly fewer kidney and cardiovascular problems related to gout.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has explored urate targets, and this trial seeks to provide definitive evidence in a randomized setting.
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.