Assessing the Role of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Intercritical Gout

Gout is an autoinflammatory disease characterized by flares of painful joint inflammation. This inflammation occurs in response to uric acid that crystallizes. After a gout attack, patients usually enter a period that is accompanied by low grade inflammation but is otherwise relatively asymptomatic. Gout is typically associated with certain markers, and this study is going describe specific markers in patients that are in between gout attacks. Research has been focused on studying this phase between gout attacks in hopes to manage and prevent the onset of future gout attacks. Biopsies will be taken from the affected joint and blood will be drawn from patients who are currently in between gout attacks. This work will provide important information regarding how crystals in the joint lining are associated with chronic inflammation in the periods between gout attacks. Moreover, this study will identify novel biomarkers that may be useful in determining the severity of disease activity through a blood test.